Central Texas Cultivars

Posted May 3rd, 2008 by jlewis

Central Texas can be a punishing environment for many plants, so selecting the appropriate cultivars can be the key to success. This guide will help you select the cultivars that can succeed in our region.

The current list is limited to fruit, nut, and berry cultivars--it may be expanded in the future to include vegetables.

The recommended cultivars are listed on the page for each specific type of fruit, nut, or berry. This list has been compiled from several sources (many of which are in the References), as well as from experience and hearsay.

Blueberry

Posted May 19th, 2008 by jlewis

There are both Northern and Southern varieties of blueberries, make sure you select a southern variety for success. Rabbiteye types require another cultivar for pollination. Other types of blueberries are self-pollinating, but is recommended to have another variety for larger fruit.

Tifblue (Vaccinium ashei 'Tifblue')
Tifblue is a rabbiteye type blueberry. Pollinate with Climax.
Recommended by og

Climax (Vaccinium ashei 'Climax')
Climax is a rabbiteye type blueberry. Pollinate with Tifblue.

Blackberry

Posted May 15th, 2008 by jlewis

Blackberries (and their wild cousin, Dewberries) are the best berry for Central Texas. Fruit is produced on one year old canes (primocanes), remove canes after harvesting. Plant Blackberries in location with 10 hr sunlight/day.

References

Posted May 15th, 2008 by jlewis

The following references provided much information on gardening and horticulture in Texas and the South, as well as specific information on recommended cultivars.

og - Garrett, J. Howard and C. Malcolm Beck. Texas Organic Vegetable Gardening. Lone Star Books, 1999. ISBN: 0884158551

mg - Garden Guide for Austin & Vicinity (Second Edition). Travis County Master Gardener Association, 2003. ISBN: 0970388306.

ns - Sperry, Neil. Neil Sperry's Complete Guide to Texas Gardening (Second Edition). Taylor Publishing Company, 1991. ISBN: 0878337997.

Pomegranate

Posted May 4th, 2008 by jlewis

Albescens Recommended by og A white flowering selection. (og)

Wonderful Recommended by og, mg, ns The most common variety sold. (og)

References

Oregon State University - Pomegranate

Pear

Posted May 4th, 2008 by jlewis

Ayers
High quality small fruit with few grit cells. Good fire blight resistence. Best adapted to northern two-thirds of state. Pollinator recommended. (ns)
Excellent dessert quality, although not as good as Warren. Medium-sized fruit with a brown russet and red blush. Ripens in August. Highly resistant to fire blight. (ag)
Recommended by ag, mg, ns, og

Garber

Pawpaw

Posted May 4th, 2008 by jlewis

It is recommended to have two trees from different genetic stock to successfully pollinate.

Nectarine

Posted May 4th, 2008 by jlewis

Nectarines not recommend by because of high susceptibility to brown rot. (ns)

Nectarines are not generally well adapted because the smooth-skinned fruit is especially vulnerable to diseases and wind-scarring. Currently the recommended variety list is small, but trials are underway by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service to evaluate new varieties.(ag)

Armking
Medium to large, cling, ripe date late May.
Recommended by ag, mg

Crimson Gold
Medium, freestone, ripe date mid-June.

Mayhaw

Posted May 4th, 2008 by jlewis

From The Louisiana Mayhaw Association:
"The mayhaw (crataegus opaca) is a fruit about 1/2" to 1" in diameter. Ripe from mid-April through early May, its fruit color varies from bright red to reddish yellow. It is not a desirable berry for eating raw.
The mayhaw is a Hawthorne native to the southeastern states that is normally a 20 - 30 foot tree at maturity. Usually found in low, wet, slightly acid areas, mayhaws produce best on good upland soils in full sun.

Citrus

Posted May 4th, 2008 by jlewis

Acorn Springs Farms, located in Hallsville, Texas, is a great source for citrus trees and for information on growing citrus in Texas.

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