Four Seasons Lemon Tree - Citrus limon

The Four Seasons Lemon Tree, Citrus limon in Latin, is a relatively vigorous citrus tree that forms a small bushy tree with a rounded habit, both ornamental and useful. It is one of the most cultivated citrus trees by amateur gardeners, due to its ease of cultivation, rapid growth, and quick fruiting. The lemon tree produces white flowers tinged with purple from a young age, which give rise to these oval and yellow fruits when ripe, highly appreciated worldwide. Packed with vitamins and highly mineralizing, lemons are considered a panacea by some eminent naturopaths. Hardy up to approximately -7°C (19.4°F), lemon trees and their varieties are extensively grown in open ground all around the Mediterranean. They also perform very well in pots, to be stored indoors during winter elsewhere.

The Citrus limon is a small tree belonging to the rutaceae family, like all citrus trees. It is probably native to the Southeast Himalayas, Assam, and the North of Burma, and is believed to be the result of hybridization between the Citron tree and the Bitter Orange. It has a spreading habit, wider than it is tall. When grown in open ground, it can reach heights of 3 to 5 meters (10 to 16 feet), but will remain smaller in pots. The young branches are tinged with purple, which later turn gray with age. They bear entire, ovate to lanceolate leaves, measuring 5 to 10cm (2 to 4in) in length and 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in) in width, of a light and vibrant green colour. Flowering mainly occurs in spring, in May-June, but can also occur during the summer. The purple flower buds open into small star-shaped white flowers tinged with purple. The flowering is followed by the formation of oval fruits with a small rounded protrusion at the apex. They measure approximately 6cm (2in) in diameter and 10cm (4in) in length. The thick green skin becomes bright yellow when ripe. It is rich in essential oils. The pulp, yellow-green in colour, is very acidic and juicy, rich in citric acid, minerals, and vitamins C, A, and B but low in sugars.

Cultivated for its ornamental qualities as well as its lemons, the Lemon tree is part of the culinary traditions of all regions of the world, for varying lengths of time. It is widely used in savory and sweet dishes. Its juice is used in refreshing drinks and cocktails, as well as a condiment in sauces and carpaccio. The zest is often used to flavor pastries and desserts. In addition to its culinary importance, the lemon tree is also a medicinal plant whose therapeutic properties, used for centuries in traditional medicine, are now scientifically proven. Lemon zest, which is rich in essential oil, is widely used in aromatherapy and perfumery. Easy to store, this citrus fruit was once carried on sailing ships, providing a good source of vitamins to combat scurvy. Lemon wood is used in cabinetmaking.

Like all Citrus trees, the Lemon tree contains visible oil glands in its leaves, flowers, and fruits, from which essential oil is extracted by distillation (flowers and leaves) or by pressing (zest). The majority of citrus trees thrive in open ground in Mediterranean coastal regions where they can benefit from the year-round warmth. Elsewhere, they are grown in pots and stored indoors at the first signs of cold. Not very hardy, the Lemon tree begins to suffer from the cold at -5°C (23°F) and dies below -10°C (14°F).

Flowering and Pollination: The Lemon tree is a self-fertile bush, meaning that a single individual is sufficient for complete pollination and fruiting. However, if your citrus tree remains indoors permanently, you may need to occasionally allow pollinators to do their work or, if you feel delicate enough, perform pollination with a brush.

If you feel delicate enough, perform pollination with a brush.