2025 Fruit and Berry List
2025 Fruit Tree & Shrub List: Great Varieties, Bare Root Bargains & Why Winter is the Best Time to Plant
As we move into 2025, we’re excited to share our updated list of fruit trees and shrubs for the upcoming growing season! This year, we’ve curated a selection of some of the best fruit-bearing trees and shrubs, including a variety of bare-root options, perfect for gardeners looking for incredible deals. Plus, we’ll explain why winter is the ideal time to plant these gems in your garden, setting you up for success in the upcoming months.
Why Bare Root Trees and Shrubs Are a Great Deal
Bare root fruit trees and shrubs are an excellent choice for savvy gardeners. These plants are not potted, meaning they are typically less expensive than their potted counterparts. Because they are dormant during the winter months, bare-root plants experience less transplant shock, which means you can expect them to establish more quickly once they’re in the ground.
When you purchase bare root, you’re getting a healthier plant that has been stored in a dormant state, allowing it to focus all of its energy on root development once planted. This sets them up for strong growth in the spring, giving you a head start on the growing season.
Why Winter is the Best Time to Plant
Winter might seem like an unlikely time to plant fruit trees and shrubs, but it’s actually the perfect season for planting bare root varieties. Here’s why:
- Dormancy Benefits: During winter, fruit trees and shrubs are in a dormant state, which means they are not actively growing. This allows them to experience less stress and root disturbance during transplanting, which makes the process much easier and safer for the plant.
- Easier Transplanting: Bare-root plants are lighter and easier to handle than potted plants, making them less stressful to plant. The cold soil also holds moisture well, which helps the plant’s roots establish themselves quickly.
- Jumpstart to Spring Growth: By planting your fruit trees and shrubs in winter, you’re giving them time to settle into their new location before spring growth kicks in. When the warmer weather arrives, your plants will be ready to burst into action and begin growing strong.
A few highlights from our 2025 Fruit Tree and Shrub List
We’ve handpicked an outstanding collection of fruit trees and shrubs that will thrive in a variety of climates. Whether you’re looking for sweet fruits to enjoy fresh or bushes to enhance your landscape, this list has something for everyone.
1. Apple Trees
- Cosmic Crisp – One of the most popular new apple varieties, Cosmic Crisp offers sweet, juicy apples with a perfect balance of tartness. This tree is known for its adaptability, hardiness and high yield.
- Northpole – If you’re looking for a tree to fit a smaller garden space or patio, Northpole is the way to go. These trees produce great fruit on a narrow trunk.
2. Pear Trees
- Bartlett – Known for its juicy, aromatic pears, the Bartlett tree is a favorite among gardeners. Its soft texture and sweet flavor make it perfect for fresh eating or canning.
- Conference – If you prefer a more complex flavor, the Bosc pear is a great option. It has a firm texture, making it ideal for baking, and its sweet, spicy flavor is unparalleled.
- Anjou – These pears are both sweet and tart, with a smooth texture that makes them perfect for fresh eating or preserving.
3. Peach Trees
- Frost – A classic hardy peach variety that is more resistant to peach leaf curl.
- Honey Babe – An amazing miniature peach that is great for patio gardening or growing in a container.
4. Plum Trees
- Santa Rosa – A popular Japanese plum variety, Santa Rosa produces large, sweet, and tangy plums that are great for eating fresh, making jam, or baking into desserts.
- Methley – This early-ripening plum is perfect for gardeners looking to harvest plums in the first year of planting. Methley plums are small but sweet, making them perfect for snacking.
5. Cherry Trees
- Bing – Known for its dark, sweet cherries, the Bing cherry tree is a must-have for cherry lovers. These trees require cross-pollination, so consider pairing them with another variety like Rainier.
- Rainier – This yellow-skinned cherry variety is incredibly sweet and is often considered one of the best tasting. Pair it with Bing for a perfect cherry harvest.
6. Blueberry Shrubs
- Legacy – Legacy blueberries are highly productive and known for their exceptional flavor. These shrubs are ideal for containers or small spaces and provide a reliable harvest of sweet berries.
- Patriot – A cold-hardy variety that thrives in cooler climates, Patriot blueberries produce large, flavorful berries that are great for eating fresh or making pies.
7. Raspberry Bushes
- Heritage – A classic variety for gardeners in cooler climates, Heritage raspberries produce large, flavorful berries. These shrubs are easy to care for and provide a long fruiting season.
- Fall Gold – Known for their golden color and mild flavor, these raspberries are a great alternative to traditional red raspberries.
Preparing for Spring: Tips for Planting Bare Root Fruit Trees and Shrubs
When planting your bare-root fruit trees and shrubs this winter, follow these tips for success:
- Soak Roots: Before planting, soak the roots in water for 6-12 hours. This rehydrates the plant and ensures the roots don’t dry out during planting.
- Dig a Wide, Deep Hole: Make sure the planting hole is wide and deep enough to accommodate the roots without bending or crowding them.
- Place the Plant Correctly: Ensure the root collar (the point where the roots meet the stem) is level with the surrounding soil.
- Water and Mulch: After planting, water the tree or shrub thoroughly. Add mulch around the base to retain moisture and protect the roots from temperature fluctuations.
- Check for New Growth: As spring arrives, monitor your plants for signs of new growth. A healthy root system means you’ll see fresh shoots and leaves soon.
The 2025 Fruit and Berry List offers a wide selection of fruit-bearing trees and bushes that are not only affordable but will thrive in your garden for years to come. With many of our options available as bare-root plants, you can take advantage of great deals and enjoy the satisfaction of planting in winter, setting your new trees and shrubs up for success in the spring. Whether you’re adding apples, peaches, blueberries, or raspberries to your garden, now is the perfect time to make your fruit garden dreams a reality!
Happy planting, and here’s to a fruitful 2025 growing season!