Lemon

Lemon is the tart, aromatic yellow citrus of warm-winter gardens and of containers nearly everywhere else. Citrus limon, a hybrid of citron and sour orange from the Himalayan foothills, is a small evergreen tree with glossy leaves, reddish new growth, thorny stems, and fragrant white flowers tinged purple beneath. Grow it in full sun in well drained soil around pH 5.5 to 6.5, watering young trees regularly and established trees only in long dry spells. Trees reach 10 to 20 feet and are hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11, but cold in the low 20s F defoliates them, so north Florida gardeners want a warm spot or a movable pot. Florida bloom runs from late December into March, with the main harvest in summer, autumn, or winter depending on cultivar. Extension guides list 'Eureka' and 'Lisbon' for Florida. Peel and foliage are toxic to dogs and cats.