Common Peach
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size 15-25' tall & wide, with ascending limbs and a low, broad, rounded habit. Fast growth rate. Tends to be short-lived due to insects, diseases and lack of cold hardiness.

Native Range

Peach trees are native to the region of NW China between the Tarim Basin & north slopes of the Kunlun Shan Mountains, where peaches were first domesticated & cultivated. Peaches have been cultivated since ancient times.

Flower and Fruit Details

The fruit is the popular juicy, edible peach, a drupe that is yellow/reddish/peach colored, pubescent, globular, 3" in diameter, ripening June-Aug. Cultivars produce higher quality fruits than seedling-grown species plants.

Leaf and Bark Features

Deciduous: Leaves are 3-6" long and 0.75-1.5" wide, simple, alternate, oblong-lanceolate or elliptic lanceolate, broadest at the middle, acuminate, serrate or serrulate, shiny dark green glabrous, with a 0.5" petiole with glands. Leaves may turn yellow or orange in the fall. Young twigs are reddish on top and green beneath. Older bark is gray with horizontal lenticels.

Culture and Care

Prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acid soil (pH 6-7) and full sun. It cannot grow in the shade. Will adapt to clay soils and acid or alkaline soils. Avoid low frost pockets to reduce flower and fruit losses in spring. For early flowers, plant by a south or west wall, in full sun locations, but for maximum fruit set, plant on north-facing slopes to delay spring flowering and frost damage to flowers. Zones 5-9. Many insect and disease problems, from peach tree borers & lesser peach tree borers ruining the trunk to brown rot fungus disease ruining the fruits, unless a spray program is implemented, starting in late winter.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

This is one of the most beautiful cherries in flower. Good wildlife value. 3-season interest: Spring, Summer, and Fall. This is a high maintenance plant if edible fruits are desired. Attracts songbirds. Peach seeds contain high levels of hydrogen cyanide, toxic to humans. "Persica" in the name refers to Persia, since the tree was introduced to Europe from China through Persia.

Suggested Uses

Grown for its fruit, and as an accent plant due to the showy, early spring flowers. Could be espaliered.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA