Exotic Fruits You Can Grow In The UK

When you think of places you can grow exotic fruits, England probably isn't the first place you think of, not with the infamous rain and unforgiving winters! However, all the fruits we mention on this list can be grown in the UK. 

While some exotic fruits can grow happily outdoors in the UK, others benefit from the extra warmth and protection of a greenhouse, particularly during colder months.

How Can I Grow Exotic Fruits In My Garden?

There is a wide range of fruits you can choose from. However, it's important to point out that although certain fruits can be planted straight into the ground, others will need to be grown in a container for the best results. Bear in mind that if you choose to grow your plants in a container, they may not be hardy enough to deal with winter's sharp frosts. Therefore, you should most likely transfer them into a greenhouse where possible. If you don’t have the space to grow fruit indoors during winter, but want shelter for the fruits of your labour why not invest in a greenhouse?

The alternative method of growing is to plant straight into the ground. This method works particularly well with more robust fruits. However as with all things in gardening, a little extra time, effort and patience when planting pays off for years to come; so to give your plants the best chance, take your time and never cut corners. 

If this is the route you want to go down, here is our top planting method. Ensure to dig holes that are around twice the depth and the width of the container which the plant came in, loosen the soil below this, and then refill with 25% compost soil up to where you want to plant. If the soil is dry be sure to water it, you can then retain moisture by placing manure or chipped bark above the soil. This also works wonders for repelling insects and garden pests. 

For exotic plants, watering them is a little different to some of the more native specimens. Exotic plants generally prefer a heavy soaking once a week, as opposed to a light spray daily. Watering correctly promotes healthy and full root growth, which in turn will assist your plant in harbouring the perfect, delicious fruits!

What Exotic Plants Can Grow In The UK?

It’s important to keep in mind that while these plants can be grown in the UK, many of them will require special attention or pruning to flourish. Others however are able to be left to their own devices.

Chinese Loquats

The Chinese loquat is an exotic and sweet fruit with a beautiful shrubbery. In both autumn and winter the Chinese loquat blooms fragrant white flowers with deep orange/yellow fruits. In the spring you will be rewarded for your hard work with a sweet, plum like fruit. Although these plants are easily durable enough to survive harsh winters, the Chinese loquats will only bear fruit in warmer conditions. With this in mind, a warm room or a greenhouse is the optimal place to grow these luscious fruits. 

Young loquat plants can be more vulnerable to frost, so growing them in pots gives you the option of moving them into a greenhouse during colder weather until they become more established.

Pineapple Guava 

This plant prefers a warm, sunny environment. Your hard work tending these fruits will be rewarded first with aromatic edible flowers. The main event however, is the skinned egg-size fruits that taste like plums, apples, peaches, strawberries and pineapples all rolled into one. Pineapple guavas are able to survive lows of -12°C in winter, although fruits will only ripen during the summers. In colder parts of the UK, container-grown plants can also be moved into an unheated greenhouse during particularly cold spells for some additional protection.

Passion Fruit

This is a fruit that most people in the UK are familiar with, but may not have tried to grow themselves. Passion fruit plants are climbers that prefer to be grown facing north, with lots of sun and lots of TLC. When they have grown to their full potential, you will need to ensure that they are properly supported, with weekly watering throughout spring and summer while ensuring they have plenty of room to grow and expand.

Pomegranates

Pomegranates not only taste great but their plants have a very rich and colourful appearance, making for a stunning focal point for your garden. The plant blooms all over with rich, red flowers meaning that they produce lots of fruit in the correct conditions. In the wrong conditions however, they tend to be less forthcoming with their fruit. If its the fruit you're after, ensure that they get as much sun as possible and are protected from the harsher UK weather!

Get Stuck In!

Growing exotic plants in the UK can be done with a lot less effort than many might expect. If you’d like to experiment with growing more unusual fruits, a greenhouse can give you greater control over their growing conditions and provide valuable protection when temperatures drop. It can also extend the growing season, giving tender plants a more sheltered environment when the British weather isn’t quite on your side.

If you want to grow some exotic plants, it's easy to find a guide for growing each exotic fruit. With all the tips you've now been given in the article, we guarantee that all it takes is time and effort to turn your garden into a cornucopia of luscious produce. 

Greenhouses by Crane

Give your home-grown produce the best start in life with a Victoria Greenhouse by Crane Garden Buidlings. Sizes are customisable to your requirements, and you'll even benefit from free delivery and installation by our expert team as part of our end to end service. To discuss your options further, please do get in touch. 

Alternatively, if you’re in the area why not visit us at one of our UK National Show Centres to experience the luxury service we provide first-hand. We have over 25 different size and style garden buildings on display for you to view at your leisure.