Dreaming of cultivating extraordinary fruits in your European garden? At Happiest Plants, we're thrilled to offer an exquisite selection of rare tropical fruit trees that can bear delectable fruits with the right care, flourishing outdoors during spring and summer and thriving indoors or within a heated greenhouse during winter. We can say with confidence as these fruits can be cultivated with the right care and conditions. Here's a tantalizing list of ten extraordinary tropical fruit trees available in our collection:
1. Miyazaki Mango (Mangifera indica) also known as Egg of the Sun
Miyazaki mangoes are from the Irwin variety of mangoes that originated in Florida in 1949 and have spread around the world. Today, they’re grown in Australia, Taiwan, and Japan, among other countries.
The most expensive mango variety in the entire world, known as the best mango of all kinds, current rate for a Kg of AAA quality Miyazaki mango is around £1000 - £3000. Bearing sweet and juicy fruits, the Miyazaki Mango delights with its tropical flavours. It thrives outdoors during warm seasons and requires indoor protection during winter.
2. Japanese Ruby Roman Grapes (Vitis Vinifera)
Ruby Roman grapes have a deep red colour with each grain weighing at least 20 grams. Ruby Roman is selectively limited and exclusively grown in Ishikawa prefecture. These are likely the most expensive grape variety in the world right now. Ishikawa, Japan is the only place in the world that grows this luxurious fruit currently. These exquisite grapes, known for their luscious sweetness, can be grown outdoors in European gardens since they're grafted on to a European hardy base plant.
3. Moon Drop Grapes (Vitis Vinifera)
Don't let the gravity-defying shape of the grape turn you away, these Moon Drops Grapes pack in a killer table-grape flavour. These juicy and sweet Moon Drops grapes erupt with stellar out-of-this-world flavour. They're harvested when they are at their absolute peak, resulting in a rich and luscious burst with every bite. With their elongated shape and rich flavour, Moon Drop Grapes add a touch of elegance to gardens. Just like Ruby Roman, these are also grafted to a European hardy base plant to ensure these can be grown in colder conditions.
4. Rollinia Live Plant (Rollinia Deliciosa)
The Rollinia tree offers delicious, custard-like fruits. This fruit is sizeable, coming in conical or round shapes and exhibiting a green hue when unripe, maturing into a vibrant yellow. The flesh, characterized by its delightful aroma, is either glossy white or translucent, offering a jelly-like texture. Once fully ripe, the skin of a Rollinia fruit effortlessly peels off, revealing fibrous yet smooth and almost creamy flesh, containing small, inedible, dark brown elliptical seeds. The flavour of the Rollinia fruit is mildly acidic with nuanced notes of pineapple, banana, coconut, and various other tropical delights. Ripe fruits can be easily sliced into wedges, and the pulp is accessible with a spoon, while the seeds can be discarded.
5. Musang King Durian Live Plant (Durio Zibethinus Musang King Bawor)
The most famous durians cultivar, the Musang king durians (D197) which is highly sought after all over Asia, each fruit weighing 2KG are selling at whopping £50 per fruit. Native to the lush rainforests of Malaysia, this extraordinary plant, also known as Durian, is revered for producing the highly sought-after Musang King variety of the "king of fruits."With its glossy, deep green foliage and a sturdy, well-branched structure, the Musang King Live Plant is not only a beautiful ornamental addition to any garden but also offers the thrilling prospect of cultivating your own premium-quality Durian fruits at home. Imagine the pleasure of watching this exotic plant flourish and bear its delectable, aromatic produce right in your own backyard. Musang King Durian tree requires warm summers for growth and protection from cold winters indoors or in a heated greenhouse.
6. Maparang Fruit Live Plants (Bouea Macrophylla)
The Maparang Fruit tree offers unique, tangy fruits. The fruit's juicy, vibrant orange flesh, which clings to the seed, offers a delightful amalgamation of flavours. It boasts a pronounced sweetness with subtle sweet-and-sour notes and a faint hint of turpentine, rendering a taste that evokes both mangoes and plums, as it belongs to the same botanical family as mangoes. Cultivate it outdoors during summer and protect it from frost indoors during winter months.
7. Ice Cream Bean Live Plants (Inga Edulis)
This evergreen tree boasts a moderately dense crown, and its distinctive pods, which are approximately a foot in length, contain beans enveloped in a sweet, cottony pulp. When you taste this pulp, you'll notice its delightful flavour, which often resembles vanilla ice cream, sometimes with a hint of cinnamon. The texture of the pulp is akin to cotton candy. Enjoy its growth outdoors in warmer months and provide winter shelter for continuous fruiting.
8. Jaboticaba Plant - Blue (Myrciaria Vexator)
Blue Jaboticaba/Myrciaria Vexator plants are native to the tropical Americas. Blue grape/ Myrciaria Vexatoris not a true grape in the family Vitaceae but is, instead, a member of the Myrtle genus. They are also called False Jaboticaba because the flavour of the fruit is also similar to that of jaboticaba trees.
- Climate: Thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, but can also be grown in containers in colder climates.
- Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade. Provide adequate sunlight for optimal growth and fruit production.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging. Regular watering is necessary, especially during dry spells.
- Pruning: Occasional pruning helps maintain a desired shape and promote healthy growth.
9. Acai Berry Live Plants (Euterpe Oleracea)
Acai Berry, scientifically known as Euterpe Oleracea, is a fruit that originates from a palm tree native to the Amazon rainforests. These small, grape-like fruits are often hailed as superfoods due to their exceptional nutritional content and are a product of South American rainforests. Acai Berries are distinguished by their dark purple skin and yellow flesh, with the pulp being used to produce a purplish juice. Acai can be enjoyed in various forms, such as in smoothies or as juice, and its pulp packs a powerful nutritional punch.
These berries offer a wide range of benefits, from enhancing skin appearance to aiding in weight loss, thanks to their high antioxidant content.
10. Water Apple Live Plants (Syzygium Samarangense)
The fruit, shaped like a pear, has a waxy exterior and a flesh that varies from spongy to juicy. It possesses a mildly subacid and rather bland taste. When fully ripe, this succulent fruit exhibits a vibrant red hue and offers a crunchy, sweet flavour that is widely enjoyed. Ripened water apples are versatile in the culinary realm, enhancing the flavours of salads, juices, smoothies, ice creams, and jams.
Caring for a tropical fruit tree in Europe during the winter months requires special attention to ensure the plant's well-being in a colder climate. Here are some instructions on how to take care of a tropical fruit tree during the winter:**Assess Cold Hardiness**: First and foremost, it's essential to understand the cold hardiness of your specific tropical fruit tree. Some tropical fruit trees are more tolerant of cold temperatures than others. Research the particular variety of your tree to determine its minimum temperature tolerance. All the trees listed above have been grown and fruited successfully by providing the right care and conditions. Grafted trees without fail have shown higher tolerance towards harsh weather conditions in comparison with the counterpart grown from seeds. **Choose a Suitable Location**: If your tropical fruit tree is in a container, consider moving it indoors or to a sheltered location such as a greenhouse, conservatory, or enclosed porch before the first frost. If the tree is planted in the ground, you may need to take additional measures to protect it from freezing temperatures. It is recommended to use a large pot for the tropical plants to move them indoors during the winter months. **Provide Adequate Insulation**: If your tropical fruit tree is planted in the ground, consider insulating the base of the tree with mulch or a thick layer of straw. This will help protect the roots from freezing temperatures. Additionally, wrapping the trunk with burlap or tree wrap can provide extra insulation and shield the tree from harsh winter winds.**Minimize Watering**: During the winter months, reduce the frequency of watering, as the tree will require less moisture while it is dormant. However, be sure to monitor the soil moisture to prevent it from drying out completely, especially for container-grown trees.**Protect from Frost**: If frost is expected, cover the tree with a frost cloth or blanket to shield it from freezing temperatures. Avoid using plastic for covering, as it can damage the tree by trapping moisture and causing rot.**Monitor Indoor Conditions**: If you've moved your tropical fruit tree indoors, ensure that it receives adequate light and humidity. Place the tree near a south-facing window to maximize sunlight exposure and consider using a humidifier to maintain suitable moisture levels.**Prune Carefully**: Avoid significant pruning during the winter months, as this can stimulate new growth that may be vulnerable to cold damage. However, you can remove any dead or damaged branches to promote the tree's overall health.**Monitor for Pests and Diseases**: While the tree is dormant, take the opportunity to inspect it for signs of pests or diseases. Address any issues promptly to prevent them from worsening during the winter months.By following these instructions and providing the necessary care, you can help your tropical fruit tree survive the winter months in Europe and ensure its continued health and vitality.