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Peach 'Contender'

7-Gallon, Dwarf

Height: 8-10 feet tall.
Spread: 8-10 feet.
Sunlight: Full sun.
Hardiness Zone: 4a.
Other Names: Prunus persica 'Contender'

Description:
A highly cold-hardy peach variety prized for its large, juicy fruit and exceptional flavor. 'Contender' produces freestone peaches with bright yellow flesh and a red-blushed skin, making it an excellent choice for fresh eating, canning, and baking. Its compact dwarf size and reliable yields make it a top choice for home orchards in colder regions.

Edible Qualities:
Peach 'Contender' is known for its rich, sweet flavor and firm, juicy texture. It is a freestone variety, making it easy to pit and prepare for a variety of culinary uses.

The fruit is most often used in the following ways:
- Fresh Eating
- Baking
- Canning
- Preserves
- Smoothies

Features & Attributes:
Peach 'Contender' features lush green foliage throughout the growing season, with an abundance of fragrant pink blossoms in early spring that attract pollinators. Its medium to large peaches ripen in mid to late summer, developing a deep red blush over golden-yellow skin.

This is a deciduous tree with a compact, spreading growth habit. It is highly resistant to bacterial spot and other common peach diseases, making it an excellent low-maintenance option for backyard orchards.

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Peach 'Contender' is suitable for the following landscape applications:
- Orchard/Edible Landscaping
- Home Gardens

Planting & Growing:
Peach 'Contender' will grow to be about 8-10 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 8-10 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3-4 feet from the ground. It grows at a medium rate and, under ideal conditions, can be expected to live for 20-25 years.

This tree thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. It is self-fertile, meaning it does not require another peach tree for pollination. It benefits from consistent moisture, particularly during fruit development, and annual pruning to maintain shape and productivity. A layer of mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.

Additional Characteristics:
- Cold Hardy
- Self-Fertile
- Disease Resistant
- Fragrant Spring Blossoms
- High-Yielding