50% OFF Some of the Best Backyard Fruit for North Texas

Growing fruit in North Texas is not for the faint of heart. Between our punishing clay soil, searing summer heat, and unpredictable winter chill hours, many traditional fruit trees simply don’t stand a chance. But for those who choose their cultivars wisely, success is not only possible—it can be delicious.

Here’s a curated lineup of fruits and cultivars, ALL 50% off this weekend– ranked by their adaptability to north Texas. Whether you’re a backyard gardener or a budding orchardist, these selections were made for Texas tough conditions—and Texas tastes!

Best Adapted: High Performance, Minimal Fuss

Jujube (‘Shanxi Li’)
Self-fertile | ~200–300 chill hours
Thrives in heat, drought, and clay, with almost no care. Fruit is crisp and sweet like an apple fresh off the tree—then chewy and date-like when dried. A snackable superfruit with old-world charm.

Blackberries (‘Sweet Ark Ponca’, ‘Prime Ark Freedom’)
Self-fertile | ~300–500 chill hours
‘Ponca’ is rich, floral, and honey-sweet—perfect for fresh eating or dessert. ‘Prime Ark Freedom’ delivers bold, juicy berries with a wine-like tang, and the rare ability to fruit twice a year.

Figs (‘Chicago Hardy’, ‘LSU Purple’, ‘LSU Gold’, ‘Ischia Green’, ‘Little Miss Figgy’, ‘Lattarula’, ‘Magnolia’)
All self-fertile | Chill hours not critical (generally <100 required)
Figs are among the most reliable fruit trees for North Texas—tolerant of heat, drought, and clay soils once established. Most die back in hard freezes but regrow and fruit the same season.

• Chicago Hardy: Rich, jammy flavor with dark purple skin and pink flesh. Excellent cold tolerance and consistent harvests.

• LSU Purple: Mild and sweet with a light berry note. Heavy producer that fruits early—great for short seasons.

• LSU Gold: Large, honey-sweet figs with a golden yellow skin and deep pink interior. Needs more warmth to ripen fully.

• Ischia Green: Small but intensely sweet with a unique green skin—perfect for foodies and fig connoisseurs.

• Little Miss Figgy: Compact and ornamental with dark, sweet fruit. Great for pots and patios.

• Lattarula (aka Italian Honey Fig): Buttery and mellow with notes of melon and vanilla. Reliable in warm spots.

• Magnolia: Big, bold fruit with syrupy sweetness. Needs longer seasons to ripen fully—best in protected or southern exposures.

Elderberry (‘Wyldewood’)
Requires cross-pollination | ~300–500 chill hours
Floral, earthy, and rich in antioxidants. The berries shine in syrups, cordials, and jam, while the blossoms elevate everything from teas to cocktails.

Mulberry (‘Illinois Everbearing’)
Self-fertile | ~200–300 chill hours
Lush and jammy, with deep notes of blackberry, raspberry, and fig. Prolific and irresistible—if the birds don’t get to them first.

Pomegranates (‘Texas Pink’, ‘Parfianka’)
Self-fertile | ~100–200 chill hours
‘Texas Pink’ offers light, floral arils with a refreshing sweetness. ‘Parfianka’ is a showstopper—ruby red, rich, and complex with a slight winey edge.

Well Adapted: Little Care Needed

Grapes (All Self-Fertile | ~200–300 chill hours)
Texas heat and humidity pose challenges for most grapes, but these three offer reliable results.

• Champanel: Bold and musky with a Concord punch. Classic jelly and juice flavor.
• Blanc du Bois: Crisp, citrusy white grape ideal for fresh eating or winemaking.
• Victoria Red: Sweet-tart balance with a cherry-berry finish. Beautiful on the vine and on the table.

Plums
Chill hours vary from ~300–800 depending on cultivar
One of the most productive stone fruits for Texas, especially when planted in compost-amended soil with good drainage.

• Black Ice: Cold-hardy (~300–400 chill hours) with an intensely sweet interior and tart skin.
• Santa Rosa: Juicy and aromatic, with a classic plum flavor foodies love (~600–800 chill hours).
• Satsuma: Deeply sweet with low acidity—a candy-like burst in every bite (~400–500 chill hours; partially self-fertile).

Pears (‘Moonglow’, ‘Pineapple’)
Partially self-fertile | ~600–800 chill hours
‘Moonglow’ is silky, mild, and perfect for fresh snacking. ‘Pineapple’ lives up to its name with tropical overtones and a juicy crunch—a Southern heirloom with flair.

Adapted: Success with Planning

Peaches
Self-fertile | Chill hours: ‘Harvester’ (~750), ‘Cresthaven’ (~850), ‘Weeping’ (~700–800), ‘Bonanza’ (~400–500), ‘Bonfire’ (~400)
Peaches thrive in North Texas when planted in well-draining soil or berms. Protection against pests and fungal disease is key.

• Harvester: Early ripening and intensely sweet with a classic peach perfume.

• Cresthaven: Firm, juicy flesh with rich, sun-ripened flavor.

• Weeping: More ornamental, but its fruit is delicate and dessert-worthy.

• Bonanza & Bonfire: Compact trees with flavorful fruit—best enjoyed fresh off the patio. Ideal for containers and small spaces.

Loquat
Self-fertile | ~100–200 chill hours
Tastes like a mashup of apricot, mango, and citrus. When you get fruit, it’s golden, tangy-sweet, and tropical—a rare delight.

Apples (‘Anna’, ‘Dorsett Golden’, ‘Ambrosia’)
Self-fertile or compatible pair | Chill hours: ‘Anna’ (~200–300), ‘Dorsett Golden’ (~250–300), ‘Ambrosia’ (~700–800)
‘Anna’ delivers crisp, semi-tart slices perfect for baking. ‘Dorsett’ is milder, with a soft sweetness reminiscent of Golden Delicious. ‘Ambrosia’ is a standout dessert apple—low acid, intensely fragrant, and honeyed with floral notes. All three thrive best when harvested early and eaten fresh, though apples remain one of the more high-maintenance fruits in North Texas.

Fruiting Crabapple
Self-fertile | ~400–600 chill hours
Tiny, tart fruits perfect for jellies or cider blends. More ornamental than culinary, but an underrated secret weapon for pollination and flavor complexity.

Marginal Survivors: Specialty Project Plants best grown in Containers 

Avocado (‘Joey’)
Self-fertile | ~100–200 chill hours
Creamy, nutty, and compact—ideal for small-batch guacamole if protected from frost. Best grown in pots or protected microclimates.

Lime (Mexican/Key Lime)
Self-fertile | ~100 chill hours
Bright, aromatic, and bursting with acidity. The quintessential flavor for pie, cocktails, or zesty marinades. Keep potted and bring indoors for winter.

Don’t miss this weekend’s 50% OFF sale on all featured fruit plants at Rooted In. Stock up now for fall planting success—and start growing the best backyard flavors in Texas.