The scent of citrus that a lemon tree brings evokes memories of summer. That smell makes me think of Lemonade and sitting on the porch for hours. Lemon trees are perfect for being grown in an urban setting, since they do well in containers or planted in the ground. They are easy to care for and can create a lovely focal point for the yard. Citrus is an evergreen with white blossoms that can be tinged with pink or yellow. They don’t need pruning but can be shaped if desired. Make this addition to your yard and harvest fresh lemon to add to drinks and dishes all summer long. Come into the garden center and have one of our gardeners help you pick the best variety for your yard!
Lemon Tree – Types
There are a number of varieties of lemons without much difference among the fruit. Most Lemon tree varieties come from either Eureka or Lisbon descendants. The Eureka variety, is an open spreading tree which is mostly thorn less, and blooms spring and summer. The Lisbon variety is an upright tree that has thorns, and blooms mostly summer and fall. Two of my favorite varieties are the Ujukitsu and Meyer Lemon. The Ujukitsu is a sweet lemon that peels and sections very easy and tastes like lemonade. The Meyer Lemon is a large lemon that looks like an orange and is less acidic than a normal lemon. Both of these lemon trees have become more popular over the years and do very well in the Houston area.
Lemon Tree – Care
When choosing a lemon tree for your yard make sure you select a variety that is suited to Texas weather. Lemons want to be protected from the cold and do require full sunlight for best growth. Make sure you plant in good quality soil that drains well in containers. When planting in the yard – make sure you add back the existing soil you dug out of the hole. Due to the clay soil in the Houston area – if you add other topsoil and compost you will create a bowl that holds water and the roots can rot. Make sure you get a good amendment for your soil such as a citrus compost and don’t mulch your tree. You will want to maintain a consistent watering schedule as the tree gets established. Make sure you get a citrus fertilizer to treat your tree with consistently once established. Lemon trees can get white flies or black soot which can be treated with Horticultural oil and Neem Oil. Make sure you take care when it is cold out to protect your tree from freezing by covering.