In the proverbial phrase, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade,” the lemons are used to suggest difficulties in life. But did you know that lemons actually symbolize happiness and positivity, and that in several regions and religions around the world, lemons are thought to hold a secret power? So you need not necessarily make lemonade with them to make your life sweeter.
Cultivars
There are a few cultivars to choose from if you are a lemon enthusiast who wants to have your own lemon and lime tree at home. You can choose from a standard-sized lemon lime tree which you can grow in your backyard, or get a small, dwarf lemon lime tree hybrid which you can grow on your patio or indoors if you either have limited space, or live in an area that experiences harsh winters.
- Eureka lemon trees – if you have limited space to grow lemon lime trees, one great option is the Eureka lemon tree. It can grow up to 15-feet tall, but can be kept at a smaller height by pruning. It is a small, virtually thornless tree that is drought tolerant and cold hardy and best grown directly in ground under direct sunlight in USDA growing zones 8 to 11. However, if you consistently experience winter temperatures below 32°F, it is highly advisable that you plant the eureka lemon tree in a pot and move it indoors during the cold season.
If you want a smaller tree that would not require a lot of space and can be taken indoors, the dwarf eureka lemon tree is a good choice. The dwarf eureka lemon tree’s size is just 10 to 15 feet when planted directly in the ground. However, they tend to be just around 3 to 5 feet when planted in a pot.
Eureka lemon tree care includes a consistent and proper watering technique, pruning diseased and spindly branches, fertilization, and cold protection. Pruning is important because diseased or weak branches and suckers only rob the rest of the tree of valuable nutrients. Watering, fertilization, and cold protection all serve to help the tree become and remain healthy and fruit-bearing for years.
- Ponderosa Lemon Tree – if you like bright-yellow lemons with tons of juice that are high in acid, then get the Ponderosa Lemon tree to brighten up your day. This citrus tree is a chance seedling from a hybrid of citron and pomelo and is slow-growing. It has long, glossy leaves that are wonderful to look at, especially when the tree is covered in blooms and fruit. Keep in mind though, that this tree is especially thorny, so if you have kids at home it is best to keep an eye out for them.
- Pink Variegated Lemon Tree – the variegated lemon tree is a bud sport that grew on a regular Eureka lemon tree and was discovered in 1931 at a garden in Burbank, California. It is an ornate tree with glossy, green and cream-colored leaves, and sweet-scented white blooms that are in season in spring or fall. The blooms then turn into low-seeded, pink-fleshed lemons with tangy-tart flavors that turn sweeter as they age.
Pink variegated lemon patio trees are great to grace pathways and patios, as they are pretty to look, at and emit a delightful scent that everyone will surely enjoy. Moreover, this tree can grow to 10 to 15 feet tall, but smaller if planted in a container. Meyer Improved Dwarf Lemon Tree – if you are looking for a dwarf lemon tree for sale, one other great option is the Dwarf Improved Meyer Lemon tree that is a relatively small tree – even when planted directly into the ground it will only grow to up to 6 to 10 feet in height and smaller when planted in a pot. This type of lemon tree is shrub-like and boasts white blooms that emit a citrus smell tinged with jasmine. What makes this tree fun to grow is that it can be grown outdoors or indoors, does not take up a lot of space, and is ornamental because of its evergreen foliage, persistent blooms, and bright yellow fruit.