About
Small upright decidous peach tree, about 4-5m tall, with narrow, glossy dark green leaves to 15cm long. Bears double, rose-red blossom to 4cm across, in late spring before the leaves, and may be followed by edible fleshy fruits.
About the genus
Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread2.5-4 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
Care notes
CultivationGrow in a moist, but well-drained soil in full sun in a warm sheltered position. See peach cultivation and how to grow: peaches for further advice
PruningPruning group 1; prune in midsummer in areas where silverleaf is a problem
PropagationPropagate by chip budding or grafting, although softwood cuttings in early summer with bottom heat can be successful
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite, aphids, and scale insects, especially on wall-trained specimens. Squirrels and birds may damage fruit
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to peach leaf curl, bacterial canker, silver leaf, brown rot, blossom wilt and honey fungus. Replant diseases may cause problems. Late frosts can damage the blossom