BANANA

Our signature plant is the banana tree. At the entrance we grow a grove of banana trees that are planted in the ground at the start of  May and dug up in early October to be wintered over in the greenhouse.   Over the years these plants have come to represent  the tropical feel of summer. 

FIG

Fig  trees have always been  a staple . We grow a half dozen varieties which stay in the ground all year. Fig season starts the end of August and lasts into early October.  Fig jelly is made  when the figs ripen in large numbers. The trees are covered over in late November for protection  against extreme cold temperature.

KIWI

A rare find is cold hardy kiwi. This vigorous vine is cold hardy to 25 degrees below zero  and produces grape size kiwi fruit (fuzz less)  that are eaten whole. They  have a 70% vitamin C content and taste like the center of a normal kiwi with an additional mint flavor.  They are the fruit of choice without doubt. The oldest vines are 16 years and provide shade for the courtyard and outdoor dining table.

COFFEE

We maintain several dozen coffee arabica plants which recently have produced the berries  which become coffee beans.   The leaves have a green glossy shine and prefer cool nights and indirect sun. 

LOQUAT

Loquat  is an interesting Mediterranean fruit tree which has unique foliage. The leaves have a leathery appearance with a downy surface.  The fruit is apricot in color tasting like peach and plum.

OLIVE

Olive trees  grace the garden with their silvery blueish green leaves like wisps of an artist's brush. Their branches twist and turn in every direction  and stand majestic when the wind blows through them.

LEMON - LIME - ORANGE

The smell of citrus in bloom is one of the most satisfying sensations in the greenhouse during the winter months.  Rather small in size, citrus is a prolific producer the older it becomes.  Among the varieties grown are: Meyer lemon, Ponderosa lemon, Persian lime, Kaffir lime, Moro blood orange.