Prunus persica Common peachCulture: The peach prefers full sun with acidic to neutral soils that are well-drained. Prune heavily after flowering to get the best flower production for next year. An old professor of mine once told me that you should be able to throw a cat through a well pruned peach tree and not have it hit any branches. Don't try this at home, but you get the idea. Borers are devastating to this species, making most plants short-lived. Cold injury can kill flower buds or cause major branch dieback. Peaches are also affected by a number of serious disease problems including fire blight and brown rot of the fruits. Don't plant peaches in the Midwest unless you are willing to provide an aggressive spray program to prevent diseases and insects and are also prepared to loose many crops to cold injury. Usage: Peaches can make nice small ornamental trees in planting beds or alongside patios. Because they are short-lived, plan for frequent replacement. |