Prunus persica 'Redhaven' (Peach)

Common name: Redhaven Peach

Description: This widely planted and vigorous peach variety is considered the "gold standard" of peaches, producing heavy crops of medium-sized, freestone fruits with exceptional flavour. The peaches display beautiful red blushing over a yellow background, creating an attractive colour contrast on the tree. The flesh is firm, sweet, and yellow with a strong, juicy peach flavour that's ideal for fresh eating straight from the tree, though it also bakes and preserves well. The tree produces profuse, fragrant pink blossoms in spring that emerge from dark pink buds, creating a spectacular early-season display. Fruits ripen early to mid-season (end of July in the UK), and the tree offers bright golden autumn foliage before leaf drop.

Other benefits: self-fertile variety requiring no pollination partner, heavy-bearing with little maintenance, easy to grow, blooms late to avoid frosts, resistant to leaf spot

Wildlife attraction: bees, butterflies, and other pollinators visit the fragrant spring blossoms

Height & spread (approx.) at 10 years: 4-5m x 5-6m

Position: full sun for best fruit production and largest harvests; avoid areas where chemical spraying may pose problems

Soil pH: average, well-drained soil; performs best in slightly acidic conditions with good drainage

Moisture: benefits from regular watering and does not thrive in dry soil; requires well-drained, medium moisture soil

Winter hardiness: cold hardy in zones 5-8; suitable for most UK growing regions

Fruit details: Medium-sized freestone peaches with red-blushed skin over yellow background; firm, sweet yellow flesh with strong peach flavour; ripens early to mid-season (end of July in UK); excellent for fresh eating, canning, and freezing