Classification of Peach Trees

Belle of Georgia

• Belle of Georgia (Prunus persica) blooms a vibrant red flower with lightly flesh-colored fruits. Peaches from the Belle of Georgia are firm and rich in flavor.

Elberta

• The Elberta (Prunus persica) peach tree bears a juicy yellow-skinned fruit. In season, the flowers bloom to a dark shade of pink. In comparison to other peach trees, the Elberta can withstand the highest temperatures.

Golden Jubilee

• Perhaps bearing the most popular fruit, the Golden Jubilee (Prunus persica) peach tree produces a yellow- and red-skinned peach that is popular not only with humans but with birds and squirrels. Out of all peach trees, the Golden Jubilee can grow in the coldest climates, including as far north as New England.

Hale-Haven

• Hale-Haven (Prunus persica) peach trees were designed by Michigan State Univeristy's South Haven Experimental Station. They produce large quantities of high quality fruits, yellow in color and rich in taste.

Common Characteristics

• Each of the four peach trees share common characteristics in size, shape and ideal growing conditions. Peach trees grow to approximately 20 feet in height, although smaller "dwarf" versions of the trees may mature at 8 or 10 feet in height. In terms of nutrients, peach trees excel in sandy and well-drained soils, require a minimum average of 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day and need plenty of water. Peach trees do not tolerate drought conditions well, making them rare finds in desert and dry regions of the country. When planting a peach tree, anticipate tree growth of approximately 8 to 20 feet in diameter and primarily round in shape.

Hardiness Zones

• Although popular in the southeast, American peach trees typically grow in hardiness zones 5 through 8; however, the Elbert peach tree also grows in hardiness zone 9. Hardiness zones represent a climate's condition zones for plants. The zones are determined based on the average annual low temperature in a particular region. Zone 5 temperatures reach an annual low of -10 through -20 degrees F annually, while zone 9 temperatures reach an annual low of only 20 through 30 degrees F.