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Contender Peach - Raintree Nursery

Contender Peach

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$59.99 - $59.99
$59.99
$59.99 - $59.99
$59.99
SKU C505

Prunus persica 'Contender'

This delicious, late-blooming peach escapes spring frosts and sets fruit in much of the nation. Its freestone peaches are large and sweetly aromatic, with bright red-over-yellow skin and yellow flesh.  It is great for fresh eating, freezing, and especially canning, since its firm flesh resists browning.

Introduced from the North Carolina Experiment station in 1988, it has a high chilling requirement of 1050 chill hours, so it's not recommended in the Deep South. It is exceptionally versatile, thriving in regions as diverse as the East Coast, Colorado, and the warmest areas of the Pacific Northwest.

Hardy to USDA Zone: 4

Mature Height:  12'- 14' unpruned

Sun: Full Sun

Ripening Time: Mid-Late Season

Pollination: Self Fertile

Rootstock: St. Julian A(Dwarf), Citation(Semi-Dwarf)

Read our Peach Growing Guide


Size: Dwarf (4'-5')
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

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  • What rootstocks are the dwarf and semi dwarf trees grafted onto?

    Lovell and Citation. They are functionally very similar.

  • How soon will your 4'-5' Contender each tree start producing peaches after planting in the ground in spring?

    Within 2-3 years if everything goes as planned.

  • How soon will your 4'-5' Contender peach tree produce peaches after planting in spring?

    Within 2-3 years after planting. Same year fruiting is strongly discouraged as it will damage the tree as it tries to establish its root system.

  • What size do each the dwarf and semi dwarf get to?

    Dwarf is about 12 feet and Semi-dwarf is about 15 feet.

Customer Reviews

Based on 6 reviews
83%
(5)
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17%
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P
Patricia G.
Status

We planted it and now 2 weeks later, there are no buds. Should there be? What should I watch out for if it's not going to make it? And how/when do you replace it. Do I have to send the dead tree back if that's what happens? I bought from you before & it was a lovely tree - I hope that is the case this time.

M
Meghan B.
Very Happy

I was very pleased with the quality of tree I received. I decided to plant my two new peaches against my fence to train for espalier. I think the ones I received will be a good fit! I'm seeing buds start to swell after planting about two weeks ago.

User picture
D
David R.
Contender Peach tree

the tree came in good condition
and looks like it wants to bud out already.
found a great container to plant in, the tree will
be perfect on the patio as its a dwarf peach. it was
delivered with the best care. contents still moist.
thanks.

L
Lia A.A.
Hardy

I bought a Contender years ago and it did quite well and tasted so good that that I bought 2 more from Raintree Nursery in 2022. I live in Zone 5a on a windy hill, and this peach variety has performed surprisingly well, and in my opinion tastes better that both Reliant and Intrepid. I should note that we have not had a truly brutal winter in the last few years. The lowest temperature this tree has experienced in my orchard has been -10 for a few days, so I cannot confirm that it can handle deeper sub-zero temperatures for extended periods, but I am willing to gamble. Very happy with this tree so far!

C
Charlene m.
No Fruit yet

I live in zone 6b, and bought this tree April 2018. It is now approx 16 ft tall. The foliage is beautiful, it looks healthy. It bloomed nicely. I thought sure I would get fruit this year, but no. (no fruit at all yet) I have another peach tree that is 3 years old that I planted from a seed from my Red Haven tree, that had its first fruit this year, about 10 peaches. We often have late spring freezes, which we did this year. I put the old style Christmas tree lights that get hot on both trees during the frosty nights, but only the 3 year old tree had peaches. The 3 year old tree may be a bit more protected since it is in the shadow of, but not underneath a tall spruce tree. The Contender is near a 5' fence and a green house. I am hoping to get some nice peaches next year. The old Red Haven tree that has come to the end of its life span, had no peaches this year, but in the past I would estimate it made peaches 80% of the time.

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