With stunning deep pink flowers during the tail end of winter/early spring, dwarf nectarine trees are a delight to have in the garden. No space is too small when it comes to this variety either, as they won’t grow much taller than 1.75 metres. This makes them ideal to plant in pots and you won’t find them hard to care for either.
Dwarf nectarine trees are self-fertile too so you only need one to produce fruit (although having more than one will produce better results). Nectarines can be picked from around July time through to October. They pull away easily once they are ready to be picked so you will know when they are ready. Nectarines are a delicious summer snack in their own right but also are versatile in both sweet and savoury meals.
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Best Dwarf Nectarine Tree Varieties
Here’s a few of the more popular dwarf nectarine varieties available online and at local nurseries.
We’ve looked at their best features, and their preferred growing position to help you decide on the best miniature fruit tree for your space.
Madame Blanchette
What they lack in size, they make up for in taste. Madame Blanchette nectarines are indeed smaller than other varieties but they are a delight nonetheless.
This variety is a heavy cropper and is fairly frost resistant too.
- Best Feature: Blossom is quite a frost resistant variety
- When To Plant Out: November to March
- Harvest Fruit: Late July until early October
- Best Growing Position: Full Sun with shelter
Nectarella
Arguably the juiciest variety of nectarine, Nectarella is hugely popular.
This sweet-tasting fruit is another heavy cropper. The dense green foliage together with the dark pink blossom makes this an attractive garden addition.
- Best Feature: The juiciest variety of nectarine
- When To Plant Out: November to March
- Harvest Fruit: Late July until early October
- Best Growing Position: Full sun and shelter
Growing Dwarf Nectarine Trees
The great thing with dwarf nectarine trees is that you don’t need a sprawling lawn with acres of space. They are small trees by nature so they will sit perfectly in a container on the smallest of patios. You can also plant them straight out if you’d prefer, they will stay nice and compact either way.
- What Size Pot for a Nectarine Tree? Aim for a diameter of 50cm
- Compost: Well-drained soil
- Watering: Plenty of water when planted out and during dry spells
- Feeding: Organic matter and fertiliser
- Rootstock: M27
Common Dwarf Nectarine Tree Problems
- Earwigs: Although a pest in their own right, earwigs are a natural predator of aphids so they don’t have to be disliked. However, they are attracted to stone fruits and can cause damage to them. They also feed on the petals and buds which can hinder the fruit growth. They are best left if they aren’t causing problems as they do take care of other pests. You can use an earwig trap to relocate them if they are doing damage.
- Slugs: With being one of the most common garden pests, slugs are in abundance in the UK. They feed on vegetables, plants, young flowering trees and fruit so they can be problematic for nectarine trees. You can manually remove slugs or make it difficult for them to access the tree. Birds will often predate slugs too, particularly the thrush species.
Pruning Dwarf Nectarine Trees
Any pruning on dwarf nectarine trees will be minimal as they generally do not need much attention. It will mainly be removing any weak or damaged branches and to prevent any crowding of the branches.
When to Prune
It is not advised to prune dwarf nectarine trees any earlier than late spring as you will make them vulnerable to disease.
How to Prune
Remove any branches that are crossing and preventing natural light from getting in. Check for any signs of disease and remove any weakened branches. Cut back if necessary to maintain its shape but pruning really should be very minimal.
FAQ’s
Dwarf nectarine trees make an ideal option for small gardens as they grow well in containers. With regular watering and feeding, you can enjoy a plentiful supply of nectarines in the summer.
A dwarf nectarine tree will not grow taller than 1.75 metres and can be as small as 1.25 metres.
Any well-drained soil will be most beneficial for your dwarf nectarine tree. Avoid over-watering and use good quality soil.
Your dwarf nectarine tree will need a spot in the garden that is both sheltered and in full sun most of the day. This will help the tree be as healthy as possible, and produce an abundant amount of nectarines.
