Comparison of Fruit Plants for Maryland Gardens
Tree Fruits
Common name
Apple*
Genus/species
Origin
European pear*
Malus domestica
Malus pumila
Pyrus communis
Europe/Asia
Minor
Europe
Asian pear
Peach/nectarine
Apricot
Pyrus pyrifolia
Prunus persica
Prunus armeniaca
Asia
Asia
Asia
Sweet cherry*
Prunus avium
Europe/Asia
Tart cherry
European plum
Prunus cerasus
Prunus domestica
Europe/Asia
Europe
Japanese plum*
Prunus salicina
Asia
Pluot/aprium
U.S.
Fig
Native persimmon*
Asian persimmon
Paw paw*
Serviceberry
PlumX apricot
crosses
Ficus carica
Diospyros virginiana
Diospyros kaki
Asimina triloba
Amelanchier spp.
Mulberry
Morus spp.
Asia and N.A.
Asia
North America
Asia
North America
North America
Grow
without
pesticides?
Difficult
Somewhat
difficult
Yes
Difficult
Somewhat
difficult
Somewhat
difficult
Yes
Somewhat
difficult
Somewhat
difficult
Somewhat
difficult
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Notes
Select disease-resistant cultivars; train highly dwarfed
trees on wires
Fruits 2-3 years after planting; susceptible to fireblight
10-12 year life max; brown rot is major disease
Fruits only once or twice in five years due to early flowers
killed by frost
Brown rot is major problem. Look for Gisela (German)
dwarfing rootstocks
More reliable (less tasty for birds)
Brown rot is a major disease of plums
Juicier but more difficult to grow than European
“Dinosaur eggs” are pluots (higher % of plum parentage)
‘Celeste’ good in containers
30-60 ft. in height when mature (or taller!)
Good ornamental qualities
10-25 ft.; can reach 40-50 ft.
Many species; good wildlife plant. Some are shrubs, of all
sizes; trees can reach 20-25 ft.
Red, white, and black types; 3 species are variable
Small Fruits
Common name
Genus/species
Strawberry
Blueberry*
Fragaria X
Vaccinium spp.
Grape
Vitis labrusca
Vitis vinifera
Rubus ursinus
Blackberry
Raspberry
Currant
Rubus idaeus and
Rubus spp.
Ribes spp.
Gooseberry
Jostaberry
Hardy kiwi
Elderberry**
Beach plum*
Ribes spp.
Ribes nidigrolaria
Actinidia spp.
Sambucus
Prunus maratima
Black chokeberry
(Aronia)
Photinia
melanocarpa
Origin
N.A./S.A. cross
7 native MD
species
North America
Asia
North America
Grow
without
pesticides?
Yes
Yes
Somewhat
difficult
Yes…but
North America
Yes…but
Europe and
North America
Europe N.A.
Europe
Asia
North America
East coast, U.S.
Yes
North America
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes?
*These fruits usually require two cultivars (cross-pollination) for best fruit set.
Prepared by Jon Traunfeld, Extension Specialist; 10/12
Notes
June-bearing and day-neutral are best
Northern highbush, Southern highbush, and rabbiteye will
all grow in MD.
Don’t plant ‘Concord’. Many good seedless table grapes
available.
Many choices; trailing, thornless cultivars can get out of
control
Many choices; primocane-bearing are easiest to manage
Easy, underutilized plants. Red, white, and black cultivars.
Plant more than one cultivar with black currant.
Need 2 different cultivars, like currants
Vigorous cross between black currant and gooseberry
Rampant grower; need at least 2 plants
Need 2 different cultivars; fairly large plants
Wild, native plum; unreliable fruiting. For the
adventurous gardener.
Astringent but healthful fruit. Good for juice and jelly.
Good wildlife plant.