Pollination Requirements Chart
|
Plant (Scientific Name) |
USDA Zone Range |
Pollination Requirements |
|
Almond (Prunus dulcis) |
Zones 5–9 |
Generally self-incompatible; requires cross-pollination between two compatible cultivars. Some cultivars (e.g., ‘Javid’s’) are self‑fertile, but yield best when paired. |
|
American Persimmon (Diospyros virginiana) |
Zones 4–9 |
Dioecious, but most cultivated varieties (hexaploid 90‑chromosome types like ‘Meader,’ ‘Szukis’) produce parthenocarpic (seedless) fruit without pollination. For seeded fruit, you still need male/female pairing. |
|
American Plum (Prunus americana) |
Zones 3–8 |
Cross-pollination required—flowers are insect-pollinated; plant two or more trees for reliable fruit set |
|
Apple (Malus spp.) |
Zones 4–8 |
Self-incompatible—requires at least two different cultivars (or a crabapple) blooming at the same time |
|
Apricot (Prunus armeniaca) |
Zones 5–8 |
Mostly self-fertile, but yields are usually improved with a second apricot cultivar nearby |
|
Arctic Kiwi (Actinidia kolomikta) |
Zones 3–8 (hardy to –40 °F) |
Dioecious—female vines need a male pollenizer nearby (typically 1 male per 6–8 females). Self-fertile cultivar ‘Issai’ exists but yields improve with a male even then |
|
Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa) |
Zones 3–8 |
Self-fertile, though fruit yield and quality improve with multiple plants nearby |
|
Asian Pear (Pyrus pyrifolia) |
Zones 5–9 |
Many cultivars are partially self-fertile, but best to use two compatible varieties (Asian or early European) for consistent yields |
|
Beach Plum (Prunus maritima) |
Zones 4–7 |
Partially self-fertile—often fruits alone, but higher yields with a second cultivar |
|
Bird Cherry (Prunus padus) |
Zones 3–7 |
Self‑incompatible or partially so; requires insect‑mediated cross‑pollination. Best planted with another P. padus nearby |
|
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) |
Zones 4–9 |
Functional self-fertile, but nut set is improved with another tree due to dichogamous flowering habits |
|
Blackberry (Rubus spp.) |
Zones 5–9 for thornless zone 4-9 for thorny |
Self-fertile—single cultivar will fruit, but bee pollination significantly improves fruit quality and yield |
|
Che (Cudrania tricuspidata) |
Zones 5–9 |
Self-fertile with hermaphroditic flowers. Insect‑pollinated, one plant usually fruits well. Better yields with a male pollinator, and perhaps shorter ripening time as well(?). |
|
Chestnut (Castanea spp.) |
Zones 4–8 |
Monoecious but self-incompatible—needs at least two compatible trees for effective wind pollination |
|
Dwarf Korean Chestnut (Castanea spp.) |
Zones 4–8 |
Mostly requires cross-pollination between compatible chestnut trees; wind‑pollinated |
|
Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) |
Zones 3–8 |
Semi-self-fruitful—can produce alone, but greatly improved yields with multiple cultivars nearby |
|
False Indigo (Baptisia australis) |
Zones 3–9 |
Insect-pollinated (by bees) but no edible fruit—used for ecological habitat |
|
Fig (Ficus carica) |
Zones 7–10 (Will dieback and resprout in zone 5+6) |
Self-fertile and parthenocarpic—most cultivated figs don’t require pollination |
|
Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum) |
Zones 5–9 |
Self-fertile—will fruit without another plant; bees still help boost yield |
|
Goumi (Elaeagnus multiflora) |
Zones 4–9 |
Partially self-fertile—fruits alone, but performance enhanced with multiple cultivars nearby |
|
Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia arguta) |
Zones 3–8 |
Dioecious—needs a male for every 6–8 females. Self-fertile variety ‘Issai’ exists, but yields are better with a male |
|
Heartnut (Juglans ailantifolia var. cordiformis) |
Zones 4–7 |
Partially self-fertile, but better yields from multiple trees or mixed Juglans species |
|
Hickory (Carya spp.) |
Zones 5–9 |
Wind-pollinated, best planted in groups to ensure adequate pollination and nut set |
|
Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos var. inermis) |
Zones 3–9 |
Primarily self-incompatible; fruit (pods) only form on female trees—male and female trees needed. Flowers rely on insect pollination |
|
Honeyberry (Lonicera caerulea) |
Zones 2–8 |
Cross-pollination required—plant two different varieties for good yields |
|
Kentucky Coffeetree (Gymnocladus dioicus) |
Zones 3–8 |
Dioecious—need at least one male and one female for fruit/seed production |
|
Maypop (Passiflora incarnata) |
Zones 5–10 |
Self-fertile, insect-pollinated by bees; a single plant can produce fruit |
|
Medlar (Mespilus germanica) |
Zones 4–9 |
Generally self-fertile (hermaphrodite flowers), though yields may be slightly better with another tree for cross-pollination |
|
Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia) |
Zones 3–7 |
Generally self-infertile; requires cross-pollination with another tree; insect‑pollinated |
|
Mulberry (Morus spp.) |
Zones 4–8 |
Self-fertile/monoecious—most fruit fine alone, but multiple trees can improve yield and fruit size |
|
Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) |
Zones 2–9 |
Self-infertile—needs at least two shrubs for reliable fruit set |
|
Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera) |
Zones 4–9 |
Dioecious, requiring male and female trees for seed/fruit; pollen transfer is wind-driven |
|
Paw Paw (Asimina triloba) |
Zones 5–9 |
Self-incompatible—needs two genetically distinct trees nearby; insect pollination also essential |
|
Peach (Prunus persica) |
5–8 |
Self-fertile. Nearly all peach cultivars will produce fruit on a single tree. |
|
Pear (Pyrus communis) |
4–8 |
Self-incompatible—requires at least two compatible cultivars blooming simultaneously |
|
Pecan (Carya illinoinensis) |
5–9 |
Wind-pollinated and generally not self-fertile. Plant at least two different cultivars (one protandrous, one protogynous) for good nut set |
|
Pie Cherry (Prunus cerasus) |
4–7 |
Mostly self-fertile. Most tart cherry varieties don’t require a pollinizer, though cross-pollination can improve yield. |
|
Plum (Prunus domestica) |
4–9 |
Many European plums are self-fertile, while Asian plums and hybrids are often self-incompatible and require cross‑pollination within the same bloom group. Good practice is to plant two compatible cultivars together |
|
Quince (Cydonia oblonga) |
5–8 |
Self-fertile, insect-pollinated. Fruit set and yield improve with a second cultivar within 50 ft |
|
Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) |
3–9 (commonly 4–8) |
Self-fertile flowers, but depend heavily on bees (~90–95%) to transfer pollen and ensure complete fruit development |
|
Rugosa Rose (Rosa rugosa) |
Zones 3–8 |
Self-fertile but benefitting from cross‑pollination; attracts bees, which improve hip production |
|
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) |
Zones 4–8 |
Dioecious—needs at least one male and one female plant within range; insect‑pollinated. Cultivar ‘Eastern Prince’ is self-fertile. |
|
Seaberry (Hippophae rhamnoides) |
3–7 |
Dioecious and wind-pollinated. Requires male plants (typically 1 per 6–8 females) for fruit set |
|
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin) |
4–9 |
Dioecious and insect-pollinated—must plant both male and female shrubs in proximity for berries to form |
|
Willow (Salix spp.) |
Zones 2–9 |
Dioecious—male and female trees must be planted nearby for seed/fruit; insect‑ and wind‑pollinated |
|
Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium) |
4–7 |
Partially Self-fertile and monoecious—flowers have both male and female parts and will set seed independently |