Growing fruit trees in Washington presents unique challenges due to our cool, rainy climate and short growing season. Many popular fruit varieties that thrive elsewhere struggle against our persistent spring rains, summer fog in coastal areas, and early fall frosts in eastern regions.
Before heading to your local nursery with dreams of homegrown fruit, consider these ten trees that typically disappoint Washington gardeners despite their appealing catalog descriptions.
1. Avocado Trees: Tropical Dreamers In A Northern Climate
Cold temperatures below 32°F spell certain death for these Central American natives. Washington’s winter freezes make outdoor avocado growing nearly impossible, even in our mildest western regions.
Many gardeners attempt container-growing and bringing them indoors, but the trees rarely produce fruit in these conditions. The effort-to-reward ratio simply doesn’t add up.
Rather than fighting nature, consider planting a cold-hardy kiwi vine instead. These adaptable plants offer similar creamy texture and thrive in Washington’s climate while requiring much less protection.
2. Sweet Cherry Varieties That Crack Under Pressure
Rain during harvest season causes these delicate fruits to split and rot before you can enjoy them. Western Washington’s June rainfall coincides perfectly with ripening time, leading to heartbreaking losses year after year.
Fungal diseases flourish in our damp conditions, requiring intensive spray programs that many home gardeners prefer to avoid. The beautiful white blossoms often appear during rainy periods, limiting pollination.
For better results, plant sour cherries like ‘Montmorency’ or ‘North Star’ instead. These varieties show better resistance to cracking and disease while providing excellent fruit for pies and preserves.
3. Peach Trees: Beautiful Bloomers, Disappointing Producers
Early blossoms make peach trees particularly vulnerable to Washington’s unpredictable spring frosts. One cold night can eliminate an entire season’s harvest before it begins, leaving you with just ornamental value.
Peach leaf curl disease runs rampant in our humid conditions, requiring vigilant copper spraying to control. Most gardeners find themselves fighting a losing battle against this disfiguring pathogen.
If you’re determined to grow stone fruits, try Japanese plums instead. Varieties like ‘Shiro’ and ‘Methley’ bloom later, tolerate our climate better, and still provide delicious summer fruit with similar culinary uses.
4. Fig Varieties That Never Fully Ripen
Long-season fig varieties like ‘Brown Turkey’ and ‘Celeste’ rarely receive enough heat units in Washington to develop their full sweetness. Fruits often remain hard and lacking flavor even when they appear mature.
Winter damage repeatedly sets these Mediterranean natives back, resulting in years of regrowth before any fruit production resumes. Even established trees can experience dieback during particularly harsh winters.
For fig lovers, stick with ‘Desert King’ or ‘Lattarula’ varieties, which reliably produce breba crops that ripen during our short summers. Plant against south-facing walls to maximize heat collection and improve ripening chances.
5. Citrus Trees: Sunshine Lovers In A Gray State
Washington’s limited sunshine hours (averaging just 10 weeks of truly sunny weather annually) prevent proper fruit development in most citrus varieties. The fruits remain sour and underdeveloped even with diligent care.
Our cold winters force gardeners to grow these trees in containers and move them indoors, where low humidity and inadequate light create new problems. Few homes have enough bright window space to maintain healthy citrus trees.
Instead of struggling with citrus, consider growing honeyberries (haskap). These hardy shrubs produce blueberry-like fruits with bright, tangy flavor that adds a citrusy note to many recipes.
6. Persimmon Varieties That Remain Perpetually Astringent
Astringent persimmon varieties need extended warm periods to naturally soften and lose their mouth-puckering tannins. Washington’s early frosts often arrive before this process completes, leaving fruits inedibly astringent.
Growing non-astringent types helps somewhat, but even these need more consistent heat than our climate provides. The trees themselves grow well, creating the false impression that fruit quality will match.
Consider growing serviceberries (Amelanchier) as an alternative. These native shrubs produce sweet, purple-black fruits in early summer and offer spectacular spring flowers plus brilliant fall color – all while thriving in Washington’s climate.
7. Pomegranate Trees: Mediterranean Gems In The Wrong Climate
Growing season length falls short of what pomegranates need to properly develop their complex flavors. Fruits often remain small and acidic in Washington gardens, never achieving the sweet-tart balance they’re known for.
Winter temperatures regularly drop below the damage threshold for these trees, causing significant dieback even in milder areas like the Puget Sound. Gardeners find themselves essentially starting over after cold winters.
Red currants make excellent alternatives, offering similar jewel-like fruits with bright flavor. These European natives thrive in Washington’s climate and provide reliable harvests for jams, jellies, and fresh eating.
8. Kiwifruit Vines (Fuzzy Types) That Flower But Never Fruit
Commercial kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa) requires 240+ frost-free days – something most Washington areas can’t provide. The vines grow vigorously, creating false hope, but rarely ripen fruit before frost strikes.
Male and female plants must be grown together for pollination, doubling the space needed without guaranteeing results. Blooming often occurs during rainy periods, reducing bee activity when it’s most needed.
Hardy kiwi (Actinidia arguta) offers a better alternative for Washington gardeners. These grape-sized, smooth-skinned fruits ripen earlier, tolerate our climate, and deliver similar flavor in a more reliable package.
9. Banana Trees: Tropical Giants In A Cool Climate
Many enthusiastic gardeners dream of growing their own bananas, picturing lush foliage and bountiful harvests. However, Washington’s cool climate presents a formidable challenge.
Banana trees require consistent warmth and humidity, conditions not readily available in this northern state. Even with greenhouses, maintaining the needed temperature can be difficult.
Growth is often stunted, leaving gardeners with small, unripe bananas. These trees demand significant care and resources, diverting attention from more suitable plantings. Opting for locally adapted fruit trees can lead to a more rewarding gardening experience.
10. Mango Trees: Tropics’ Sweetheart In The Wrong Zone
Mango trees, known for their sweet, succulent fruits, entice gardeners to try their luck. Unfortunately, Washington’s unpredictable weather is far from the tropical climate these trees crave.
Mangoes require warm temperatures and a long growing season to produce fruit, something the region’s short summer struggles to offer. The result is often trees with sparse foliage and few, undersized mangoes.
The care and attention they demand rarely pay off, leaving gardeners frustrated. Focusing on more climate-appropriate varieties ensures healthier plants and a more satisfying harvest.