CAN I GROW A LEMON TREE OUTSIDE IN THE UK?

Can I grow a lemon tree outside in the UK?

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Lemon trees, along with their romantic spirit, are synonymous with the gardens of Versailles, Villa Costello and the Amalfi coast. In fact they can be grown anywhere in northern Mediterranean, albeit with a little help from automatic irrigation and fertilisation. However despite being associated with an area covering most of the old Roman empire, Lemons are actually a native to Asia, primarily to the cooler, more temperate regions of Northeast India (Assam), Northern Myanmar or China. So this then begs the following question, can I grow a lemon tree in the UK?

With the UK capable of growing many plant species collected from southwestern China, growing a lemon tree is perfectly possible assuming you can source the hardiest varieties such as Meyers variety or Eureka, both of which are hardy down to -5°C. Of course winter temperatures will vary across the whole of the UK but if your are bless with living in the warmer southern counties, south-west Ireland, London or Essex there is a good chance that you can grow the hardier varieties outside in the ground all year round with little further maintenance. There is of course no guarantee that a colder snap may fall upon your region but if this happens apply a couple of layers of horticultural fleece around both the trunk and the branch-work.

Over-wintered lemons - Florence

To improve their ability to survive outside there is more that can be done in the preparation. Place your lemon tree in a sheltered site in full sun (a poorly insulated house wall would be perfect) and plant in a free draining soil so as to avoid water logging over the winter. A ground grown lemon tree with have far more root protection than one which is left outside in its container. Prior to planting, add a rich ericaceous mix to the soil to reduce the inevitable chlorosis that lemons always seem to be susceptible to.

Take note that all lemon trees can be grown outside in the UK while overnight temperatures remain above 7°C.  Once temperature drop below this they will need to be brought under protection such as an unheated greenhouse. If your area is prone to temperature dropping to below -5°C then even the hardiest varieties will need to be brought in under protection. If you are planning to grow lemons in the north of England or Scotland then always grow your lemons in container and consider overwintering under heated conditions at around 7°C. If overwintering temperatures regularly go beyond 16°C, the accompanying low light levels with cause weak extending growth as well as increase the risk of greenhouse pests o your plants.

Just remember that even in the Tuscan garden of Villa Costello, all of their lemon trees are container grown and over-wintered inside barns.

For related articles click onto the following links:
AT WHAT TEMPERATURE DO CITRUS SEEDS GERMINATE AT?

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GROW A LEMON TREE FROM SEED?



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