FRUIT TREE NURSERY FOR RIVERSIDE, CA
Mature Fruit Trees for Riverside Homes, About an Hour Away
Riverside gardeners drive down I-215 and I-15 to our Vista nursery.
We grow mature fruit trees up to 40 years old, plus citrus and rare tropical varieties.
About an hour from Riverside
Citrus for the Citrus Capital
Big, established trees for hot yards
Heat-ready varieties
AT A GLANCE
The Fruit Tree Nursery Riverside Gardeners Drive South For
Our family grows citrus and tropical trees on site in Vista.
Riverside customers come for heat-ready varieties and mature sizes.
Riverside Driver’s Guide
We are at 2081 Elevado Road, Vista, about 64 miles from Riverside.
The drive usually takes about an hour.
Doors open at 9 Tuesday–Saturday and at 10 on Sunday.
Shade your trees in the truck bed on hot days.
Call 760-434-5085 with questions.
WHY IT’S WORTH THE DRIVE
Why Riverside Gardeners Make the Drive
One hour south gets you years ahead on your backyard orchard.
DEEP ROOTS
Southern California’s Oldest Fruit Tree Business
In a city built on citrus, experience matters. We have grown fruit trees longer than anyone in SoCal.
40 YEARS
Bigger Trees Beat the Heat
Big trees handle Inland Empire heat better than young saplings. Many are already fruiting.
CITRUS COUNTRY
Citrus for the Citrus Capital
Riverside built its history on oranges. We grow lemons, limes, mandarins, grapefruit and more.
ONE TRIP
Stock a Whole Yard at Once
Pick every tree in person. Our team loads your truck before you head home.
FEATURED TREES
Fruit Trees Built for Riverside Heat and Chilly Nights
Riverside summers run hot and winter nights get cold.
These trees handle both, starting with the citrus Riverside is famous for.
Availability changes often. Check our inventory or call 760-434-5085 before you make the drive.
NAVEL ORANGE
Washington Navel and Cara Cara
The Washington navel launched Riverside's citrus boom in the 1870s. We grow that same variety, plus Cara Cara, a pink-fleshed navel. Inland heat gives navels their deep sweetness.
In our yard: Washington Navel, Cara Cara, Valencia, Valencia Red Smith
BLOOD ORANGE
Moro, Tarocco and Sanguinelli
Blood oranges color best where nights turn cool, like in Riverside. Moro is the darkest and earliest. Tarocco is sweet and often nearly seedless. All three are in limited supply.
In our yard: Moro Blood, Tarocco Blood, Sanguinelli Blood
STONE FRUIT
Desert Gold Peach and Santa Rosa Plum
Riverside winters supply more chill than the coast, which stone fruit needs. Desert Gold ripens very early. Babcock Giant is a sweet white-fleshed peach. Santa Rosa plum is a reliable producer.
In our yard: Desert Gold, Babcock Giant, Santa Barbara, Saturn, Earligrande, Santa Rosa Plum
JUJUBE
Li and Sugar Cane Jujubes
Jujube thrives in heat and drought where other trees struggle. Li has large, round fruit. Sugar Cane is smaller but very sweet. Eat them fresh like crisp apples or dried like dates.
In our yard: Li, Sugar Cane
GRAPEFRUIT
Oro Blanco and Star Ruby Grapefruit
Grapefruit needs real summer heat to sweeten, and Riverside delivers. Oro Blanco is a low-acid white hybrid. Star Ruby has deep red flesh. MeloGold is a sweet, oversized cousin.
In our yard: Oro Blanco, MeloGold, Star Ruby, Cocktail Pink, Texas Star
FIG
Black Mission and Pasquale Figs
Figs laugh at 100 degree days once they are established. Black Mission gives two crops in good years. Pasquale is a dark, rich Italian fig. Long Verde stays green when ripe.
In our yard: Black Mission, Pasquale, Long Verde, Excel, Panache
SIZES & BUYING
Buying Trees in Vista for Your Riverside Yard
Riverside is about an hour away via I-15. Here is what to plan for.
SIZES
Bigger Trees Handle Heat Better
Larger root balls cope better with Inland Empire heat in the first summer.
Consider 25 gallon, 45 gallon or 24 inch box trees for faster establishment.
FIRST FRUIT
Plant in Fall or Spring
Many of our trees already fruit at purchase.
Younger ones usually bear two to three years after planting. Avoid planting in peak July heat.
THE DRIVE
An Easy Run Down I-15
We load trees into your truck or trailer at the nursery. There is no shipping.
Cover foliage for the freeway, since hot wind can scorch leaves.
HOURS
Open Six Days a Week
We are open Tuesday through Saturday 9 to 4, and Sunday 10 to 4.
No appointment is needed. Call ahead for limited citrus.
OUR FRUIT TREES
Every Fruit Tree We Grow for Riverside Yards
Riverside summers are hot and winters can frost, so variety choice matters.
We put the toughest heat-and-cold picks first.
Tropical & Subtropical Fruit Trees
Treat tropicals as special projects here. Avocado and guava do best near warm walls.
Citrus Trees
Navel oranges started here. Citrus remains the easiest fruit for Riverside yards.
Berries & Vines
Grapes and blackberries thrive in Riverside’s long, hot summers.
Flowering Trees
Bird of paradise handles heat well; protect plumeria from frost.
GROWING GUIDE
Fruit Trees That Thrive in Riverside
Riverside has hot, dry summers and chilly winter nights. Choose trees that handle both.
HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS
Wood Streets, Downtown & Victoria Avenue
Mature shade and older soil, with some cold nights.
Good picks: citrus, fig, pomegranate, persimmon and loquat.
NEWER SUBDIVISIONS
Orangecrest & Mission Grove
Full sun and summer heat, with frost on clear winter nights.
Good picks: citrus, jujube, pomegranate, stone fruit and fig.
HILLSIDES
Canyon Crest & Box Springs
Better drainage, and cold air drains away downhill.
Good picks: avocado, citrus, macadamia, loquat and guava.
RIVERSIDE NEIGHBORHOODS
From Mount Rubidoux to the Citrus Heritage Park
Riverside's citrus story lives on at the California Citrus State Historic Park.
We grow the same Washington navel that started it, plus blood oranges and Cara Cara.
Yards near Mount Rubidoux and UC Riverside bake in July and frost in some winters.
Jujube, figs and Desert Gold peach take both extremes in stride.
Nearby Areas We Serve
Downtown Riverside · Wood Streets · Canyon Crest · Orangecrest · Mission Grove · Arlington · La Sierra · Corona · Norco · Moreno Valley · Jurupa Valley · Perris · Menifee · Temecula · Murrieta
VISIT US
Down I-15 from Riverside
We are at 2081 Elevado Road in Vista, about 64 miles from Riverside.
Take I-215 South to I-15 South, then Gopher Canyon Road west. It is roughly an hour.
FAQ
Riverside Fruit Tree FAQs
Is there a fruit tree nursery near Riverside?
Our Vista nursery is about an hour south of Riverside.
Which fruit trees handle Riverside frost?
Citrus, fig, pomegranate, persimmon and jujube tolerate light frost. Cover young tropicals on cold nights.
Can I grow avocado in Riverside?
Yes, in warm, sheltered spots. Protect young trees during winter cold snaps.
What is the best route from Riverside?
Take I-215 South to I-15 South. Exit at Gopher Canyon Road and head west.
Do you deliver to Riverside?
No. We are pickup only at our Vista nursery.
Do you sell navel orange trees?
Yes. Oranges are part of our citrus lineup, along with lemons, limes and mandarins.
Are your trees already bearing fruit?
Many mature trees are flowering or fruiting when you buy them.
When are you open?
Tuesday–Saturday 9am–4pm and Sunday 10am–4pm. Closed Mondays.
Make the Trip from Riverside
About an hour south. Come pick heat-ready trees for your yard.