Almonds ( Prunus amygdalus syn Prunus dulcis ) , the small deciduous trees withpink and white blossomsand sound and tasty nuts , are winter - hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant life hardiness zones 7 through 9 . A major commercial crop in California , almonds are produce by backyard gardeners in North Carolina . The southerly state consist of six USDA hardiness zona , from 5b through 8a , with the majority of the land orbit in USDA zone 7a through 8a . Almond trees are intrepid in those geographical zone .
Almond Culture
Almond tree , native to warm , juiceless areas of western Asia , demand the longest possible growing season in North Carolina to produce fruit . The chances for fruiting are best in the country ’s warmest USDA geographical zone , 8a . The trees should be grown in full Sunday and never in heavy Lucius DuBignon Clay soil . Almonds grow 10 to 15 feet grandiloquent and wide , with an equal spread . When space between tree or between a tree diagram and a structure , provide at least 7.5 foot . Water regularly , specially in the first yr after planting .
Varieties
" Hall ’s sturdy " sweet almond ( Prunus dulcis " Hall ’s Hardy " ) , which thrive in USDA zone 5 through 8 , is a variety suited for all of North Carolina ’s grow zone . The tree diagram ’s growth use and sizing are corresponding to those of other Prunus amygdalus tree . A fast - grower , the Hall ’s variety will bear fruit in 3 to 6 years . Some varieties spell from the Ukraine characteristic zone hardiness similar to that of " Hall ’s Hardy . " These include the early - fruit " Oracle " ( genus Prunus dulcis " Oracle " ) , which bears almonds in July instead of the common other autumn , and " Bounty " ( genus Prunus dulcis " Bounty " ) , which spring up over 20 feet improbable .
Uses
While almond trees farm in North Carolina may or may not produce abundant crop of nuts , they are still valuable as ornamentals , resemble the peach trees to which they are closely related . The fragrant pink and livid blossoms appear in leap , making the trees a honorable choice for cheery position in lawns or even as anchor trees in large flower gardens . Because almond Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree draw in pollinators , the metal money would also make a good addition to a wildlife or habitat garden . smorgasbord grown on midget rootstock might be placed at the corner of large vegetable beds .
Considerations
Almond trees are not self - fertile , so at least one other almond must be grown confining by for pollination and fruiting . In its aboriginal western Asia and in California , almonds prosper in a red-hot , low humidity surroundings . North Carolina ’s coastal area are fond enough for almond culture , but while these areas have the sandy dirt the metal money prefers , they can be too humid for optimum tree health and yield production . The flower buds are susceptible to spring frost damage , which is most likely in the parts of North Carolina located in USDA geographical zone 7a .
References
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