Quick project: Stone circle to fig tree. Maybe.

I wish you lot hadn't started this conversation ... and in particular that I hadn't found Reads Nursery ... of the 24 varieties that they sell I've figured out two that I don't want :(

All joking apart I am wondering if having 2 or 3 in pots, that could be stood on the terrace in Summer and stuck inside in the Winter, might be a nice thing to do.

Of course I then started looking at Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots ...

 

I can't see why not. You have more room than most of us.

I have a tiny patio in contrast and have still have room for one. I've had mine for 10 years nearly and it's only 8' high including the pot. Mind you it has had a rough life, my sister scorched it when she decided to have a barbeque right next to it while my parents were meant to be looking after it. I still haven't harvested any fruits from it yet and don't really mind as I think the leaves are pretty. I repotted it last year so am hoping that will help it fruit.

Ooooo! I want an Apricot in my garden too, altogether they are slow growing which puts me off a bit. I was reading in the Pomona fruits catalog that there is a variety just for containers.

 

Kicking myself now, because I followed Loofahs link to the earlier thread on Figs, and from there to Blackmoor Nurseries ...
www.blackmoor.co.uk
and they also have
Apriums & Pluots. I have no idea what they are, but I know I need one!

so whatever you do don't click that link, nor this one:
http://www.blackmoor.co.uk/category/616


I wonder to what extent these type of fruit trees would be happy being given the "Orangery" treatment - I'm thinking of Versailles where the Orange plants, in thumping big Versailles tubs, are manhandled (i.e. forklift truck these days) into the Orangery for the Winter. The Oranges must have done well for Louise XV-ish otherwise he would have beheaded his gardeners! so I was wondering whether I could emulate that for other fruit. I already have "boxes" that we use in front of the house - a dressed-up 3-ply front that we place around the planter so it looks OK, but once removed its not too hard to then move the plant container. I could get them into the conservatory for the winter without too much bother I think. But I don't want to do it unless I will get a decent crop of fruit - one or two fruits off a container-grown tree is not what I am after, I want enough for the family to enjoy, at least; some to give away would be even better.

I've also got a bit sidetracking looking at Cob Nuts for my Fruit and Nut garden (apply named my Mrs K after my favourite food!). Seems a pity not to have one of each variety to make a collection of interesting flavours. Both Reads and Blackmoor nurseries do some tempting varieties ...