Plant This Peach Type For Tasty Fruit & Pretty Spring Flowers

There’s nothing quite like plucking fruit from a tree you’ve nurtured for years and taking a bite (after a quick rinse, of course). Homegrown produce just tastes better, and there are plenty of benefits to growing your own. But certain fruit trees also offer seasonal eye-candy, with their stunning spring blooms. One tree that checks both boxes is the Elberta peach tree (Prunus persica ‘Elberta’).

The popular Elberta peach is practically synonymous with Georgia – the state was the country’s top peach grower in the early 1900s after the cultivar was created in 1875. But since then, this hardy, high-yielding tree has become a favorite across the U.S. Each mature Elberta can produce up to 150 pounds of juicy, sweet fruit per season, without sacrificing quality.

Before the peaches ripen in July and August, the Elberta peach tree puts on a spring flower show. Its branches get covered in a riot of vivid pink and purple blossoms – delicate flowers packed densely together. And since Elberta peach trees are self-fertile, you only need one in your yard. But planting multiple trees will increase your harvest. Plus, they’re relatively low-maintenance, resisting most diseases and insects without chemical treatments.

The Elberta peach tree can thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9, as long as you plant it in well-drained, sandy soil. Since it’s not drought-tolerant, avoid dry areas and consider adding irrigation if rainfall is sparse where you live. This peach tree needs at least six hours of sun per day and shelter from harsh winds.

When you’ve found the perfect spot, dig a hole twice as wide and deep as the root ball and plant the tree. As you fill the hole back in, water it thoroughly. After six weeks, give the tree a pound of balanced fertilizer. Then, keep the soil around it moist with weekly watering.

For ongoing care, watch for signs of underwatering like dry or browning leaves. Fertilize in spring, summer, and fall, and prune in late winter or early spring to shape the tree and remove any dead or damaged branches. With the right conditions, the Elberta peach will start bearing fruit in 3-4 years and grow up to 3 feet per year.