Smith Red Blood Orange Tree

Gorgeous to behold and delightful on the tongue, the Smith Red Blood Orange (Citrus sinensis I. Osbeck 'Smith Red') isn't a true Blood Orange, but it sure does look like one! The orange rind covers up a deep-red flesh, but once you bite into it you will know that it is a sport of the classic Valencia Orange to its core (or whatever the center of an orange is called). This fruit is packed with sweet juiciness!

Smith Red produces big harvests in winter and if you grow it in a pot and bring it into a sunny winter window you will be treated to the sunny smell of oranges during the cold dreary months. The fruit keeps well on the branch, so you will be picking Oranges well into spring! By the 2nd or 3rd year, you could be harvesting up to 20 pounds of delicious fruit each season!

One of the most cold-hardy Orange varieties, Smith Red thrives in cooler-than-average citrus growing conditions. Cool winters actually make the fruit sweeter and darker. It can't take freezing temperatures, but that surprise Southern cold snap won't hurt it.

Planting and Application:

The deep red flesh makes deep red juice, so treat your guests to a unique breakfast treat! The slices look amazing in salads, as garnishes, and in glazes on poultry, meats, and seafood. They're of course beautiful fresh and very healthy too! Enjoy potted Citrus indoors within arms reach, enabling northern growers to bring them indoors for the winter!

The white blossoms and glossy evergreen foliage mean Citrus trees are fantastic edible landscaping trees for year-round beauty! Use as specimens or focal points in front and back yard gardens or as part of a Citrus orchard. Create long rows of hedgerows with a variety of Citrus for an evergreen privacy fence that's neighbor-friendly!

• Blood Red Flesh
• Valencia Orange Flavor
• Medium-Sized Fruit
• Huge Late-Winter Harvest
• Fragrant While Blossoms

#ProPlantTips for Care:

Citrus trees need full sun to do their best, and very well-drained soil that lets water drain fast. Preferring to dry out a bit between waterings, provide regular fertility throughout the year to keep them growing at peak performance.

Protecting Citrus From Chill

Although Citrus can grow year-round in warmer regions (zones 9 and 10), they can also thrive in colder areas (zones 4 to 7) as long as the tree is brought indoors before the first frost of winter.

In zone 8, you can cover your tree in the event of a cold snap or unexpected overnight freeze. Citrus will need to be planted in a sheltered spot to avoid the worst of the chill, and not planted in a low area that collects cold air. If a spot like that is unavailable, or you are in a chill-prone climate, then you are safer planting Citrus Trees in a large, deep container with wheels to easily move them to a protected location or indoors when needed.

In cold growing zones, begin slowly acclimating your tree indoors in the fall, or into a protected location, eventually moving your tree inside. Indoor plants need a bright indirect sun window, greenhouse, sunroom, or enclosed patio for the winter. In spring, reverse this process and begin acclimating your tree to again be back out in the full sun all summer. This reduces stress and leaf drop.

• Full Sun
• Low Water Usage
• Regular Fertility
• Very Well-Drained Soil
• Prune After Fruiting

Delicious and healthy, the Smith Red Blood Orange Tree is a great tree for any Citrus lover, so order yours today. They make great gifts, too! So order yours today from NatureHills.com!