Fruit plants, the heritage of our gardens

Fruit plants are a fundamental component of agricultural ecosystems and home gardens, bringing not only food but also beauty and biodiversity. Among the most popular varieties are apricot, peach, cherry, plum and almond. These species, in addition to delighting the palate with their fruits, also offer splendid blooms that anticipate spring and summer.

Apricot tree (Prunus armeniaca)

The apricot tree is one of the first fruit trees to bloom, often as early as late winter or early spring. Native to China, this tree has spread all over the world, adapting to different climatic conditions. Its fruits, sweet and juicy, are rich in vitamins A and C. To achieve a good production, it is important to choose varieties that are resistant to diseases and low temperatures.

Apricot Varieties

Pellecchiella: Typical variety of Campania, in particular of the Somma Vesuviana area, it has a medium-sized fruit, with orange pulp, very aromatic and tasty. It is resistant to transport and handling.

Bulida: This is a Spanish variety with medium-large fruits, very sweet and aromatic. It ripens in the summer months and is very popular for fresh consumption.

Reale di Imola: Early Italian varity, with medium-sized fruits, orange pulp, sweet and very juicy flavor. It is resistant to disease and adapts well to different climates.

Peach tree (Prunus persica)

The peach tree, with its pink or white blooms, is another popular plant in gardens and vegetable gardens. Native to China, the peach tree produces juicy fruits with sweet pulp, which can be nectarines or peaches depending on the presence of the hair on the skin. The peach tree requires constant care to prevent fungal and parasitic attacks, and is sensitive to late frosts that can damage the bloom.

Variety of Peach Trees

Springcrest: One of the first varieties to ripen, it produces medium-sized fruits, with yellow, juicy and very sweet flesh. It is a strain suitable for warm climates.

Snuff box: This variety is easily recognizable by its flat shape and sweet, aromatic flavor. It is particularly popular for fresh consumption.

Percoca: It is a very popular variety in Italy, especially for the preparation of peach vinegar and for fresh consumption. Percoco has a yellow flesh, which is very juicy and tasty.

Nectarine: Although not exclusive to Italy, Italian nectarines are highly prized for their sweet flavor and firm flesh. They are smooth-skinned peaches, without the characteristic fuzz of other varieties.

Cherry (Prunus avium)

The cherry tree is known for its spectacular spring blooms and the delicious fruits that follow. There are sweet varieties, suitable for direct consumption, and sour varieties, mainly used in cooking. Cherry growing can present challenges, such as the need for specific pruning to promote good production and the management of diseases such as moniliosis.

Cherry varieties are mainly divided into two categories: sweet cherries (Prunus avium) and sour cherries (Prunus cerasus).

Durone Nero di Vignola: An Italian variety highly appreciated for its large fruit, firm pulp and sweet taste. It ripens in the middle of the season.

Burlat: One of the first varieties to ripen, appreciated for its earliness and sweet and juicy fruits. It adapts well to various climates.

Lapins: Known for its resistance to cracking (breakage of the fruit skin caused by rain). It produces large, juicy and very sweet fruits.

Plum tree (Prunus domestica)

The plum tree offers a wide variety of fruits, from purple and blue plums to yellow and green plums. It is a less demanding tree than other fruit trees, adapting to different climatic and soil conditions. Plums are appreciated for their versatile use in the kitchen, both fresh and processed into jams or spirits.

Plum varieties can produce fruits of different colors, sizes, and flavors.

The varieties of Plum Trees

Santa Rosa: An early variety with purple-red colored fruits, yellow and juicy pulp, with a good balance between sweetness and acidity.

Friar: A variety of plum tree of American origin but also very common in Italy, especially in the North. It produces large fruits with yellow flesh and dark purple skin, sweet and very juicy, excellent for fresh consumption.

Regina Claudia Verde: This variety, also known simply as “Claudia”, has ancient origins and produces round green fruits, with sweet, juicy and very aromatic pulp. It is appreciated both for fresh consumption and for processing.

Angelina: The fruits of this variety are medium-sized, with yellow flesh and a sweet, slightly acidic taste. The skin is a beautiful reddish-purplish color. It is very resistant to disease and is harvested in late summer.

Fortune: Introduced more recently, this strain produces large fruits with bright red skin and yellow, sweet, aromatic flesh. It is prized for its flavor and good resistance to disease.

Stanley: Although of American origin, Stanley is widely cultivated in Italy, especially in the northern regions. It produces large fruits, with sweet and juicy pulp, perfect both for fresh consumption and for processing into prunes.

Almond tree (Prunus dulcis)

The almond tree is among the first fruit trees to bloom, giving landscapes of rare beauty with its white or pale pink blooms. Native to the Middle East regions, the almond tree produces highly nutritious dried fruits, rich in healthy fats, protein, and vitamin E. Its cultivation is suitable for warmer and drier climates, and requires relatively less water than other fruit trees.
In Italy, almond cultivation is an ancient tradition, especially in southern and island regions such as Sicily, Puglia, Calabria and Sardinia. Italian almond varieties are prized for their unique flavor and agronomic qualities. Here are some of the best known and most cultivated almond varieties in Italy:

Thunder
Characteristics: It is one of the most cultivated varieties due to its resistance to self-fertilization, which makes it particularly suitable for crops where multiple varieties are not to be planted for pollination. It produces good quality fruits with a high percentage of shelled almonds.
Region of Origin: Calabria

Filippo Ceo
Characteristics: Known for its high yield and the good quality of the almonds, this variety produces fruits with a medium-hard shell that protects the seed well inside.
Region of Origin: Sicily

Pizzuta d’Avola
Characteristics: This variety is renowned for the excellent quality of the almonds, which are large, oval in shape and with a hard shell. Pizzuta d’Avola almonds are particularly popular in the confectionery industry for their rich flavor.
Region of Origin: Sicily

Genco
Characteristics: Variety with good productivity and resistance to diseases, it produces quality fruits with a semi-hard shell. It is suitable for both mechanical and manual harvesting.
Region of Origin: Sicily

Romana
Characteristics: Known for its resistance to cold, this variety has good productivity and produces quality fruits with a medium-hard shell.
Region of Origin: Various Italian regions

The cultivation of fruit plants such as apricot, peach, cherry, plum and almond trees not only enriches the diet with fresh and nutritious fruits, but also contributes to improving the biodiversity and beauty of the landscape. Each species has specific climatic and care needs, making good planning and management important to ensure abundant and sustainable production.