Hardy Citrus Atlas

Juice

Rough yellow citrus fruit hanging on garden branches

Sweet Yuzu N30

Léo /

Sweet Yuzu N30 (Citrus junos ‘Yuko’ N30) is a Franco-Japanese selection of sweet yuzu, a less acidic and sweeter variant than classic yuzu, suited to fresh eating. Its hardiness reaches 10°F (−12°C) on the tree, making it suitable for in-ground growing in USDA zone 8a. The tree reaches 10 to 13 ft (3 to 4 m) with a rounded, spreading habit, aromatic evergreen foliage, and very fragrant white flowers. Its golden yellow, medium-to-large fruits, with thick, bumpy skin, ripen in October to November and offer a juice less acidic than standard yuzu, rounder on the palate, with the typical complex aromas blending mandarin, grapefruit, and orange blossom. Excellent fresh for enthusiasts, as juice, as sorbet, and in pastry where the aromatic signature of yuzu is wanted without its sharp acidity. Graft onto Poncirus trifoliata.

Two rough yellow citrus fruit on a plain surface

Yuzu Citron

Léo /

Yuzu Citron (Citrus junos ‘Citron’) is a particular selection of Japanese yuzu, a hardy citrus among the most cold-resistant. Originally from China and acclimated in Japan for over a thousand years, it withstands temperatures down to 10°F (−12°C) on the tree, which makes it suitable for in-ground growing in USDA zones 8a and 8b. The vigorous tree reaches 10 to 13 ft (3 to 4 m) at maturity, with a slightly spreading habit and evergreen foliage. Its golden yellow, bumpy, thick-skinned fruits ripen in October to November and offer a very tart juice with unique aromas blending mandarin, grapefruit, and orange blossom. Sought after by French pastry chefs since Pierre Hermé, it is used as zest, juice, confit, or marinade. Must be grafted onto Poncirus trifoliata to maximize hardiness. Prefers a south-facing wall, well-drained soil, and generous winter mulching.

A citrus plant bearing small yellow-green fruit outdoors

Ugly Big Guy Tangelo

Léo /

Origin: ‘Big Guy’ is a specific cultivar selected by French nurserymen (notably Vessières) from Ugly seedlings or mutations. It should […]

A whole and partly peeled rough yellow-orange citrus fruit

Ugli Tangelo (Ugly)

Léo /

Origin: Ugly, or ‘Ugli fruit’, is the commercial name of the Jamaican tangelo. Discovered growing wild around 1917, it is […]

Two orange citrus fruit hanging in a garden

Orlando Tangelo

Léo /

Origin: Orlando tangelo is the brother of Minneola tangelo. Obtained in 1911 by W.T. Swingle in Florida, it comes from […]

A pointed orange citrus fruit and a cut half

Mapo Tangelo

Léo /

Origin: Mapo is a famous hybrid created in Italy at the Acireale research center (Sicily) in 1950. Its name comes […]

Green citrus fruit in a colander beside a cut half and knife

Seneca Sudachi

Léo /

Seneca sudachi (Citrus sudachi ‘Seneca’) is an American selection of the Japanese sudachi, grown in the northeastern United States for its adaptation to cool continental climates. Its hardiness reaches 10°F (−12°C) on the tree, making it suitable for in-ground growing in USDA zones 7b and 8a, among the hardiest of the Japanese citrus. The tree reaches 7 to 13 ft (2 to 4 m) with a rounded habit, aromatic evergreen foliage, and fragrant white flowers. Its round-flattened fruits, bright green or yellow at maturity, small (1.6 to 2 in, or 4 to 5 cm), with thin skin, ripen in September to October and hold a very tart, fragrant juice with notes of lime and yuzu, without bitterness. Indispensable in Japanese cooking (fish, soba, ponzu sauces). Graft onto Poncirus trifoliata, plant against a south-southwest-facing wall; well-drained soil is essential.

A potted citrus plant bearing yellow fruit beside a doorway

Reddish Bud Jaune Sudachi

Léo /

Reddish Bud Jaune sudachi (Citrus sudachi ‘Reddish Bud’) is a Japanese selection of sudachi notable for its reddish buds at spring budbreak, an ornamental trait that adds visual interest to a tree already appreciated for its fruit. Its hardiness reaches 10°F (−12°C) on the tree, making it suitable for in-ground growing in USDA zones 7b and 8a. The tree reaches 7 to 13 ft (2 to 4 m) with a rounded habit, aromatic evergreen foliage, and fragrant white flowers. Its round-flattened fruits, bright green (harvested green) or golden yellow (at full maturity), small (1.6 to 2 in, or 4 to 5 cm), with thin skin, are mainly harvested in October to November according to the Vessières catalog, green or at the start of yellowing, and hold a very tart, fragrant juice with notes of lime and yuzu. Indispensable in Japanese cooking (fish, soba, ponzu sauces). A few seeds. Graft onto Poncirus trifoliata, south wall.

Whole and cut yellow-orange citrus fruit on a patterned plate

Sambokan

Léo /

Origin: Sambokan (or Sanbokan), botanically Citrus sulcata, is a Japanese citrus originating from Wakayama Prefecture. It has been grown since […]

Large yellow citrus fruit hanging among leaves

Enzo Grapefruit

Léo /

Origin: Enzo grapefruit is a more recent selected variety, often offered by specialist nurseries in the Mediterranean. It belongs to […]

Scroll to Top