Contender Peach

Prunus persica 'Contender'

The Contender Peach (Prunus persica 'Contender') is a popular peach tree variety known for its excellent cold hardiness and delicious fruit. Here's some information about it:

1. Appearance: The Contender Peach is a medium-sized deciduous tree that typically reaches a height of 12-15 feet (3.7-4.6 meters) with a spread of 10-12 feet (3-3.7 meters). It has a rounded canopy with attractive pink flowers that bloom in early spring before the leaves emerge. The leaves are dark green and have a lanceolate shape.

2. Fruit: The Contender Peach produces medium to large-sized fruit with a yellow skin that is blushed with red. The flesh is juicy, sweet, and has a rich flavor. The fruit is typically ready for harvest in mid to late summer, depending on the climate and growing conditions.

3. Cold Hardiness: One of the notable characteristics of the Contender Peach is its exceptional cold hardiness. It can tolerate temperatures as low as -20°F (-29°C), making it suitable for regions with colder winters.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS:  High Maintenance. Needs regular watering.  Peaches have a lot of pest and disease issues and need regular spraying to ensure good crop.  Potential pests include tree borer, fruit moth, root nematodes, and aphids.   Late spring frosts can severely damage flower buds.  Fallen fruit can be messy if not harvested.

 LANDSCAPE USES:  Accents or Group Plantings, Borders, Wildlife Garden, Naturalized Areas, Ponds and Streams, Edible Gardens, and Containers.

COMPANION PLANTS: Rosemary, Strawberry, Pomegranate

* As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.