Spring is here - and if you've ever dreamed of stepping into your backyard to pick fresh fruit right off the tree, now is the perfect time to plant. Planting fruit trees in spring gives them a full growing season to establish strong roots and set the foundation for years of delicious harvests.
In this guide, we've put together the 10 best fruit trees you can plant this spring - every single one available to buy online and ship directly to your door from Pixies Gardens. Whether you have a large backyard or just a sunny patio, there's a tree for you.
🌿 Shop All Fruit Trees → pixiesgardens.com/collections/fruit-trees
1. Chicago Hardy Fig Tree - Best for Beginners
The Chicago Hardy Fig Tree is hands-down the best starting point for beginner gardeners. It's cold-hardy, drought-tolerant once established, and one of the few fruit trees that actually thrives on a little neglect. Zones 5–10 means it works in most of the USA.
• Self-fertile - no second tree needed
• Can be grown in containers for patios & apartments
• Produces fruit within 1–2 years of planting
• Cold hardy to Zone 5 - survives harsh winters
2. Contender Peach Tree - Sweet, Juicy & Cold-Hardy
The Contender Peach Tree is our top-rated peach variety with 37 reviews and a 4.41/5 rating from real customers. It's self-pollinating, cold-hardy down to Zone 4, and produces large, freestone peaches perfect for fresh eating, jams, and cobblers.
• Self-pollinating - one tree produces plenty of fruit
• Cold-hardy to Zone 4 - great for northern states
• Freestone peaches - easy to pit, great for cooking
• Customer favorite - 37 verified reviews, 4.41/5 stars
3. Belle of Georgia Peach Tree - Best for Southern States
Named after the great state of Georgia, the Belle of Georgia Peach Tree is a classic American variety known for its beautiful white flesh, red-blushed skin, and extraordinary flavor. It's a top choice for gardeners in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.
• White-fleshed peaches with stunning red blush
• Excellent disease resistance - low maintenance
• Great for zones 5–8 including Georgia, NC, Virginia, Tennessee
4. Apple Trees - America's Favorite Backyard Fruit
No backyard orchard is complete without an apple tree. Pixies Gardens carries a curated selection of apple trees for sale - from classic Fuji and Gala to cold-hardy varieties suited for northern climates. Dwarf and semi-dwarf options make them perfect even for smaller yards.
• Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp - the most popular American varieties
• Dwarf varieties grow 10–15 feet - perfect for small yards
• Most varieties need a cross-pollinating partner for best yields
• Pro tip: plant two different varieties for 2–3x more fruit production
5. Methley Plum Tree - Self-Fertile & Heavy Producer
The Methley Plum Tree is one of the most popular plum varieties in the South and Mid-Atlantic - self-fertile, early to ripen, and produces an abundance of sweet, red-purple plums. Gorgeous pink blooms in spring make it a landscape star too.
• Self-fertile no pollinator partner required
• One of the earliest ripening plums - ready by June
• Beautiful ornamental blooms in early spring
• Works as a pollinator for other Japanese plum varieties
6. Eversweet Pomegranate Tree - Unique & Low Maintenance
Looking for something unique? The Eversweet Pomegranate Tree is a nearly seedless dwarf variety that's perfect for home gardens and containers. It produces sweet, juicy fruit with soft arils - no tough seeds to deal with. This is a trending specialty fruit that's hard to find in local nurseries.
• Nearly seedless - soft arils, easy to eat
• Dwarf variety - great for containers and small yards
• Drought tolerant once established - very low maintenance
• Trending specialty fruit - hard to find at local garden centers
7. Elberta Peach Tree - Classic American Heirloom
The Elberta Peach Tree is an American classic that has been grown in home gardens for over 150 years. It produces large, golden-yellow freestone peaches with a rich, sweet flavor that store-bought peaches simply can't match. Great for canning, baking, and fresh eating.
• Freestone peaches - pit separates easily
• Classic heirloom variety - grown since the 1870s
• Great for canning, preserves, cobblers & pies
• Heavy producer - one tree can yield bushels of fruit
8. Brightwell Blueberry Bush - Best Berry for Home Gardens
Technically a shrub, the Brightwell Rabbiteye Blueberry Bush is one of the most productive and popular varieties for southern gardeners. It produces large clusters of sweet, firm blueberries and is one of the best choices for zones 7–9. Plant two varieties for the biggest harvests.
• Rabbiteye variety - heat tolerant, perfect for zones 7–9
• Produces fruit for 20–30+ years with proper care
• Excellent pollinator companion for other blueberry varieties
• Pro tip: pair with Tifblue Blueberry for best fruit set
9. Russian Pomegranate Tree - Cold Hardy & Dwarf
If you're in a cooler climate and thought pomegranates were out of reach - think again. The Russian Pomegranate Tree is one of the most cold-hardy pomegranate varieties available, growing in zones 7–10. Its compact, dwarf size makes it perfect for containers and small gardens.
• Cold-hardy down to Zone 7 - rare for pomegranates
• Dwarf compact form - great for patios & containers
• Produces tart, flavorful pomegranates with smaller seeds
• Gorgeous orange-red blooms - ornamental & edible
10. Weeping Yoshino Cherry Tree - Most Beautiful Spring Tree
While not a traditional fruit tree, the Weeping Yoshino Cherry Tree deserves a spot in every spring garden. This iconic tree explodes in thousands of delicate white-pink blossoms in early spring - creating a stunning cascading waterfall effect. It also attracts bees and pollinators that benefit your entire garden.
• Iconic weeping form - stunning landscape focal point
• Thousands of delicate pink-white blossoms in spring
• Attracts bees and pollinators - boosts nearby fruit trees
• Perfect gift tree - a bestseller for Mother's Day and spring gifting
🌱 5 Quick Tips for Planting Fruit Trees This Spring
1. Match your USDA Zone: Every tree above shows its zone range — always check yours first at planting.usda.gov.
2. Full sun is non-negotiable: Minimum 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day for good fruit production.
3. Plant as soon as frost passes: Early spring planting gives roots maximum time to establish before summer heat.
4. Water deeply, not daily: Deep weekly watering builds stronger, drought-resistant roots than daily shallow watering.
5. Mulch matters: A 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base retains moisture and regulates soil temperature.
🌳 Ready to Grow Your Own Fruit This Spring?
All the fruit trees in this guide are grown and shipped by Pixies Gardens - a family-owned online nursery delivering healthy, ready-to-plant trees across the USA. Every tree ships with care instructions so you can start growing with confidence.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest fruit tree to grow for beginners?
The Chicago Hardy Fig Tree is widely considered the easiest fruit tree for beginners. It's drought-tolerant, self-fertile, low-maintenance, and can even be grown in containers. Peach trees like the Contender Peach are also excellent beginner choices.
Can I order fruit trees online and have them shipped to me?
Yes! All the fruit trees in this guide are available to buy online and ship directly to your door from Pixies Gardens. We ship healthy, nursery-fresh trees across all 48 contiguous states. Visit Pixies Gardens to browse the full collection.
When is the best time to plant fruit trees in spring?
The best time is late February through April - as soon as your last frost date has passed. Planting while the tree is still dormant or just breaking dormancy allows roots to establish before the summer growing season kicks in.
Do I need two fruit trees for pollination?
It depends on the variety. Self-fertile trees (Chicago Hardy Fig, Contender Peach, Methley Plum, Eversweet Pomegranate) produce fruit on their own. Apple trees and sweet cherry trees generally benefit from a compatible second variety for cross-pollination and higher yields.
Can I grow fruit trees in containers on a patio?
Absolutely! The Chicago Hardy Fig, Russian Pomegranate, Eversweet Pomegranate, and dwarf apple varieties all grow beautifully in large containers. This makes them perfect for patios, balconies, and gardeners in colder climates who want to bring trees indoors in winter.
