4 

Peach 'Contender'

15-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 a stunning display 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