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Contender Peach Tree

Contender Peach Tree

Regular price $77.95 USD
Regular price $0.00 USD Sale price $77.95 USD
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Prunus persica ‘Contender'

Contender Peach Tree

The Contender Peach Tree is a cold-hardy, heavy-bearing freestone peach that thrives in northern climates without sacrificing fruit size or flavor. This bare root variety produces juicy, golden peaches with a red blush and firm, flavorful flesh ideal for fresh eating, baking, or canning.

With a stunning flush of pink blossoms in spring and reliable fruit production through summer, Contender is a go-to favorite for home orchards, edible landscapes, and backyard growers who want performance, resilience, and sweetness in one tidy package.


Contender Peach Tree (Bare Root) Overview

Attribute Details
🌱 Variety Bare Root
🌿 Botanical Name Prunus persica ‘Contender’
🏷️ Common Names Contender Peach, Cold Hardy Peach
🌳 Mature Height 12–15 feet
🌐 Mature Width 12–15 feet
📈 Growth Rate Fast (2–3 feet per year)
Lifespan 15–25 years
🧊 USDA Zones 4–8
❄️ Chill Hours 1,000–1,100 hours
☀️ Sun Preference Full sun (essential for flowering and ripening)
🧱 Soil Type Well-drained loam, sandy, or slightly rocky soils
⚖️ Soil pH Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)
💧 Water Needs Moderate; consistent watering during fruiting
🍑 Fruit Type Medium to large, freestone, yellow-fleshed peach
🌸 Flower Color Light pink
🐝 Pollination Self-pollinating; will fruit alone or with other peaches
🌿 Growth Habit Rounded, spreading canopy
↔️ Spacing 15–20 ft between trees
🏡 Landscape Uses Home orchards, edible gardens, flowering accent trees
🧹 Maintenance Level Moderate

Environmental Benefits

🌸 Offers early blooms for pollinators and spring garden color
🍑 Encourages home food production and self-sufficiency
🌞 Provides fruit, flowers, and light shade in one tree
🌿 Adds biodiversity and beauty to edible landscape designs


Pros & Cons

Pros ⚠️ Cons
❄️ Exceptionally cold-hardy and reliable in northern zones 🐛 May require spraying or organic pest prevention in some regions
🍑 Produces sweet, firm, flavorful peaches 💧 Needs well-drained soil to avoid root rot
🌸 Beautiful spring blooms with ornamental appeal ✂️ Requires annual pruning to maintain shape and airflow
🌿 Fast growth and early fruit production 🍁 Limited lifespan compared to shade or ornamental trees
🐝 Self-pollinating and productive even in single plantings 🪵 May need fruit thinning to prevent limb breakage during heavy crops

Planting & Care Guide (Bare Root)

🛁 Soak roots for 6–12 hours before planting
🕳️ Dig a hole twice as wide as the root spread; plant with graft union 2 inches above soil line
🌾 Mulch 2–3 inches deep around the base to conserve moisture and prevent weeds
💦 Water deeply once per week during growing season, especially during fruit set
✂️ Prune in late winter to shape canopy and encourage strong fruiting branches
🧪 Fertilize annually in early spring with a balanced fruit tree fertilizer


The Contender Peach Tree (Bare Root) is a top-tier performer for cold-climate growers, producing sweet, juicy peaches and stunning spring blooms on a fast-growing, manageable tree. Whether you're starting your first orchard or adding to your edible landscape, Contender is a proven, productive choice that never disappoints.

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