Gardening 101: What native fruits grow in North Texas?

(CBSNewsTexas.com) — Growing a native plant greatly increases your chances of getting a successful plant.

Native species have proven for centuries, if not longer, that they can withstand extreme weather conditions, from freezing winter storms to scorching hot droughts. You will also be feeding our local pollinators.

But fruits are rare in the wild, especially in a climate like ours. I went and spoke to Daniel Cunningham from Rooted-In to get his advice. He suggested three good local options.

His first choice is a fruit that has received a lot of attention lately: paw paw.

The paw pow, sometimes referred to by various names or referred to as the “Indian banana”, is the largest fruit native to North America. It grows wild in a large area of ​​the eastern United States. Trees can be up to 30 feet tall, but this is rare in this area. The fruit is similar to mango but has a unique custard flavor.

These plants love partial shade and can withstand temperatures down to -20 degrees. They need slightly acidic soil.

But because they are in vogue these days, they are VERY expensive. Be prepared to pay over $150 for just one. And on top of that, you’ll need two. Papaya trees do not self-pollinate like other fruit trees, such as peaches. You will need to find two different varieties to make the burgundy flower of spring become the edible fruit of summer.

And if the high price is not enough, then they grow very slowly. Paw Paw trees take almost five years to bear fruit, so they are definitely a project for the patient gardener.

If you want something that grows a little faster, there are several new local Muscat grapes that have toned down their overly tart nature. The Triumph variety perfectly fits these requirements and, after rooting, grows like wildfire.

Muscadine doesn’t require as much ridiculous pruning as other grape varieties, but you still need to prune it every cold season to boost your yield.

You have probably seen elderberry growing here. It is usually found along stream beds or in low, shaded areas. The bright white flowers are easy enough to spot in spring.

The dark purple berries can be made into a syrup or jelly that some consider medicinal. New varieties increase yield and longevity. You will need to find the wettest post in your yard (a low spot, at least in partial shade) for them to thrive.

This spring I’m planting muscadine to try, it will grow next to my champagne that I’m trying. I will keep you posted on how it goes.