Fruits
Prunus persica 'Contender'
Contender peach
A freestone peach selected for better flower-bud hardiness than many peach cultivars. Spring bloom can still be damaged by late frost, reducing a year’s crop.
At a glance
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Even moisture; well-drained soil
- Hardiness
- USDA zones 5–9 (species reference; cultivar and rootstock may differ)
Sizes & prices
- #3Call for price
Catalog updated September 8, 2026. This is not a live stock count; please call to confirm availability and price.
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Pollinators & wildlife
- Attracts
- Bees
Fruit & harvest
- Tri-state harvest
- Peach season is generally late June–August; cultivar and weather shift the date.
- First bearing
- About 2–4 years after planting; tree age and growing conditions affect timing.
- Pollination
- Self-fruitful; a second peach is not normally required.
Growing & care
- Care & pruning
- Train to an open center, prune annually and thin young fruit. Choose a well-drained site with good air movement.
- Rootstock & size
- For grafted fruit trees, mature size and time to fruit depend on the rootstock as well as pruning. Check the individual tree tag when selecting planting space.
- Size & rootstock
- Mature size and spacing depend on the cultivar and rootstock. Ask which rootstock is supplied before choosing a planting location.
Sources & photo credits
University of Kentucky Extension
Oregon State University Extension
University of Missouri Extension
University of Maryland Extension
Photo: Jackson's Orchard (image resized for display) · CC BY 2.0
Reviewed October 1, 2026. Growing conditions vary by location.