When Do Peach Trees Blossom?

Peach trees are a great choice for the weekend gardener. Besides producing delicious golden fruit, the peach tree is also an ornamental tree for the yard. The key to successful peach-tree growing is selection. Choose the right tree for your zone and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Choose the wrong variety of peach tree and your investment will dry up. That, as they say in the peach business, is the pits.

Significance

Most varieties of peach trees blossom in early to late spring. The buds that form in winter become the flowers in the spring that grow into the fruit of the summer. Warming temperatures start this growth cycle, but peach trees also need some cold weather for their dormant stage. It's vital to choose a peach tree that matches up with the weather conditions in your area; otherwise, you run the risk of having a tree that never blooms.

Types

There are dozens of varieties of peach trees, and most peach trees are self-pollinating, so that a single tree may be planted at a time. A few varieties require cross-pollination; these trees must be planted in pairs or they will not bloom. The Reliance peach tree is an example of a cross-pollinator. Peaches are also classified as either "cling"or "freestone." Cling peaches are characterized by their firm fruit and the flesh resists bruising. Freestone peaches have much softer flesh and the pit can be easily removed.

Features

Gardeners generally choose a peach tree for its fruit rather than its blooms. Still, peach trees make a pretty statement in the landscape with their flowering pink to red blooms. Some peach trees give the best of both worlds, such as the Belle of Georgia, which has stunning red flowers in late spring and delicious fruit in late summer. Depending on the hardiness zone classification, a peach tree can flower in April, May, June or even July, providing fruit in early to late summer. Most peach trees will have made their fruit by the end of September.

Considerations

To successfully grow a peach tree, select a variety that matches your growing zone. Most varieties will grow in zones 4 through 8, with zones 6 and 7 being the best choices. The right zone will ensure that your peach tree will bloom under favorable conditions to produce fruit.

Warning

Pruning can also affect peach production. Never prune a peach tree when it's flowering. Instead, prune in January or even early February. Use the basket method to prune peach trees to the right shape and don't be too concerned if buds are pruned off. Pruning buds ensures better chances for the remaining buds to bloom and produce fruit.