Delicious Varieties Of Mango Trees And Which Is Right For Your Yard

Who doesn't love the sweet aroma and decadent fruit of a juicy, ripe mango? Now that your mouth is watering, imagine being able to pluck this king of fruits from a tree you've nurtured and grown in your own garden. Impossible, you say – not so! Even if you live in Florida or California, growing a mango tree has been out of the reach of many enthusiastic gardeners because these trees are huge – with some varieties reaching a massive height of over 60 feet and a spread of more than 100 feet. But, back in 2004, the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden released its "Curator Choice Program" that highlighted a series of dwarf or "condo" mango varieties which only grow to a maximum height of around 10 feet, making them ideal for any yard. In fact, there are numerous other dwarf fruit trees that are perfect for a smaller yard.

These diminutive trees can also be grown in large pots on your balcony or patio, making the possibility of growing your own delicious mangoes a reality. The only requirement is a warm climate with temperatures that never drop below 28 degrees Fahrenheit.  You'll also need to do a little pruning by cutting the branches back a bit a couple of times a year.  So, with just a small amount of care, you could end up with a thriving mango tree that can produce over 250 pounds of delectable fruit. And, if you're lucky enough to have a greenhouse, this is one of several fruits that will thrive in your greenhouse garden. 

'Carrie' is an outstanding dwarf variety that reaches a maximum height of around 10 to 12 feet with deliciously sweet fruit which ripens from June through July. The tree requires minimal care and has excellent disease resistance. 'Cogshall' is another good compact mango cultivar that only grows to a height of around 8 feet with lovely sweet fruit. If you like your mangoes to be firm but juicy, you might want to try growing the 'Fairchild' cultivar. It produces small, pale yellow fruit, and the tree will reach a height of around 10 feet.

One more popular dwarf variety is 'Ice Cream' because it can be kept to a maximum of 6 feet with a little pruning. The fruit is rich and sugary in flavor even though the color is a little pale. For outstanding large fruits up to 5 pounds each in a gorgeous blood-red color, you can't go wrong with 'Lancetilla'. This tree is easy to train to a maximum height of 10 feet and you can enjoy the delectable crop from August to September. Finally, another top cultivar to consider is 'Nam Doc Mai' which produces delectable sweet and aromatic fruits on a compact tree that's perfectly suited to most backyards. And, if you want to grow one of these cropping trees in your yard, you might like to know the secret to keeping birds out of your precious fruit trees, so there's plenty of fruit for you to harvest and enjoy.