• Lemon trees grow along Albama's coastal areas.Mauro Speziale/Photodisc/Getty Images
  
  For gardeners in Alabama, planting and maintaining healthy lemon trees presents a challenge. The cold-sensitive trees do not fare well in northern Alabama, as the region experiences freezing weather. Along the coast and in southern parts of the state, however, three varieties of lemon trees can be planted in the ground. Gardeners in other parts of the state should consider container-planted trees, as they offer the convenience of moving the plant to a protected location when winter sets in or during the threat of frost in early spring.
  
  

Meyer Lemons

• One of the most cold hardy lemons, Meyer lemon trees can be grown in southern and coastal Alabama. Meyer lemons originated in China, where they were discovered in 1908 as an ornamental plant growing in containers. The lemons consist of 10 juicy segments with moderate acid and small seeds. The tree bears fruit all year, although most gardeners find the tree ready for harvest from December through April. The cold-resistant tree produces a few thorns. Keep an eye on winter temperatures. If they drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the tree will need to be wrapped for protection, brought indoors or placed in a protected area, if it is planted in a container.
  
  

Lisbon Lemons

• Lisbon lemons, a commercial variety grown in California, can be grown in containers in Alabama gardens. Originating in Portugal, the lemons arrived in the U.S. in Massachusetts in 1843, according to Purdue University's Horticulture Department. Fruits appear elliptical to oblong with yellow peel and somewhat pitted or ribbed fruits. The pulp appears pale green to yellow in color with about 10 segments. The fruit tastes very acidic and contains almost no seeds. The trees produce their first crop in February, with a second crop ready for harvesting in May. The vigorously growing tree requires shelter from extreme heat and cold, making it necessary to keep the container in partial shade during the hottest hours of the day. In the winter, keep the container in the house until the last chance for freezing weather has occurred in the spring.
  
  

Ponderosa

• Ponderosa lemons offer another choice for gardens in Alabama's coastal or southern climates. The lemon made its first appearance in nursery catalogs in 1900. Ponderosa lemons feature 10 to 13 juicy segments with plenty of acid and 30 to 40 medium-size seeds. The tree can bear fruit at any time during the year. While ponderosa trees stay small, they produce plenty of thorns. The tree features white blossoms, sometimes tinged with red or purple. Ponderosa trees are sensitive to cold, making them good candidates as container plants that can be moved indoors during the winter.