sheltered sunny spot, suggestions?

Hi, this is my first post as a new subscriber! I have a sheltered, south-facing spot in what will be a courtyard in my zone 6b garden. It will be walled on 3 sides. I was wondering if anyone might have any suggestions as to what I can plant as a sort of centerpiece in the middle. I would like to plant something that would bear fruit and have some ornamental appeal. As it is a sheltered spot, I was hoping I could try something a little more exotic that I might not be able to get away with in another location on my property. I am already planning on planting a couple peach, plums and pear trees elsewhere, so I would like to go with something else for this spot. Thanks!!

This message was edited Feb 9, 2007 2:57 PM

A cluster of fig trees.

I am new to Princeton, NJ., and two years ago I started two one-gallon pots against a south-facing wall. They wintered over 05-06 and bore fruit. I haven't checked them out this year -- I'll let you know when I am back North in the spring.

There is nothing -- nothing -- like a fresh picked fig.

: )

That is a very good suggestion! I was actually wondering about figs, but I am not sure about how ornamental they are. What do the flowers look like? Is the tree more bushy or wispy? When it comes down to it, I am much more interested in having the fruit than having something that looks great, but I was just curious if I can find both. Also, do you think they would survive in the ground? I've been doing lots of reading about this, but I find all kinds of answers. Thanks so much! I would also be very interested in finding out how yours overwintered.

I second the fig tree suggestion. I'm not sure if your climate would allow you to grow it as a tree instead of a bush, but if so fig trees are beautiful in courtyards. They get very gnarly and picturesque, with a great canopy of interesting lobed leaves.

It may be some time -- but I'll respond when I get back to them. No flowers -- but beautiful foliage and fruit.

Good luck

: )

Kabocha - Thanks for the description! If I could get it to grow as a tree, it seems like a fig is exactly what I am looking for. However, I suppose if it dies down to the ground every winter that it isn't going to be likely to grow as a tree. I guess it might be worth taking a chance, though, that it will have enough shelter and perhaps a warmer microclimate in this particular spot.

Thanks, to flyboyFL for the suggestion in the first place.
I had thought about trying trifoliate orange, but I couldn't tell from the descriptions I've read if the fruit is any good.

Thought I'd post a couple of photos.

This is a fig tree on my neighbor's lot. He brough the original cutting with him from Greece. He keeps it trimmed. (Note: He hasn't trimmed it yet, this year.)

My fig trees are espaliered, against the south side of my houes. They are starting to leaf out.

Here are a couple of fruit on his. right now. You can also pick them out on the other photo.

Be well

: )

I agree w/ fig trees, sculptural, kind of gangly. but w/ lovely big-leaf foliage, very tropical looking & almost all of the small fig trees I've purchased have produced fruit at a young age. Mine are mostly along the southern exposure of my house, w/ a windmill palm, & a musa basjoo. I'm trying to decide what to plant in that area this season-last year I had some lantanas & hypericum, both did well, I'm thinking about trying okra...