Although fruit trees come in dozens of varieties with many different kinds of fruit, a few unusual types have small blue fruits. Several of those trees are tropical or semi-tropical, while some are elastic to more temperate regions. Based on your location and climate, at least one of those blue-fruited trees might be an excellent addition to your home landscape.
Blue Grape Tree
The blue grape tree (Myrciaria vexator) is an indigenous South American tree, in which it typically grows in coastal areas. A bushy tree, about 6 ft tall at maturity, it bears small purplish-blue vegetables with sweet inner flesh encompassing seeds. The look of the fruit and also the fact that their taste is reminiscent of grapes accounts for the tree’s common name. A slow-growing tree that’s quite cosmetic, the blue grape tree can withstand short periods of frost and is most acceptable for civilization in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 and 10.
“Mount Royal” Plum Trees
European plum trees (Prunus domestica) are hardy, easy-to-grow trees that bear delicious fruit, typically ripening in mid to late August. One cultivar, called “Mount Royal” (P. domestica “Mount Royal”), has small plums that are a dark, almost navy shade of blue. Best suited to USDA zones 4 through 8, the semi-dwarf cultivar reaches a height of approximately 12 to 14 feet at maturity and typically bears freestone fruit when three years old. It prefers full sun and has the added benefit of being self-fruitful.
Blue Elder Tree
The blue elder tree (Sambucus nigra subsp. Cerulea), sometimes called the blueberry elder, grows to a height of 15 to 30 feet at maturity. Suitable for USDA zones 4 through 9, this deciduous tree provides yellowish-white flowers in the summer, followed by clusters of small, dark blue fruits that attract birds. Although too tart for fresh eating, elderberries may be cooked and used for jellies and pies, or even in wine producing. Blue elder trees do well in either sun or partial shade and prefer moist, well-drained dirt.
Blue Marble Tree
The blue marble tree (Elaeocarpus angustifolius) can be called the blue fig, blue olive berry or even lily-of-the-valley tree. An Asian native, the tree is evergreen and approximately 20 to 25 feet tall at maturity. Its clusters of white, bell-shaped flowers look in rows along its branches, hanging downwards, resembling lily-of-the-valley flowers. After flowering, masses of small, cobalt blue vegetables trace, ripening during the summer months. Each fruit is approximately 1 inch in diameter and resembles a blue marble. Although attractive, the fruits have very little flesh and are usually grown for their seed-containing stones, that are grooved and tough, and could be polished for use in jewelry or crafts. The blue marble tree is acceptable for growing in USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10.
