Contender Peach
For sale in Lawrenceville, GA
- Fast (2-3 ft/year)
- Full Sun
- Cold hardy to USDA Zone 8a
- Georgia grown & ready to plant
Secure checkoutLicensed & insured installation crew
About Contender Peach
Contender Peach is valued specifically for its late bloom time relative to other peach varieties, which significantly reduces the risk of losing the year's crop to a late spring frost, a genuine and recurring problem for peach growers in Georgia's unpredictable early spring weather. It produces large, firm, yellow freestone fruit with excellent flavor, ripening in mid-summer, and is self-fruitful, needing no second tree for pollination. It grows fast to 12-15 feet tall when pruned and requires the same annual open-vase pruning as other peach varieties for good production and disease management. Contender is also noted for good disease resistance for the region and reliable productivity. Like all peaches, it needs adequate winter chilling hours, well satisfied in Zone 8a, and performs best in full sun with well-drained soil. For Gwinnett County growers who have lost peach crops to late frost in past years, Contender's later bloom timing offers a genuine practical advantage over earlier-blooming varieties like Redhaven.
🚚 Delivery available to Lawrenceville and all of Gwinnett County — see our service area for exact timing.
Plant Specifications
| Mature Height | 12-15 ft |
|---|---|
| Mature Width | 12-15 ft |
| Sun Requirements | Full Sun |
| Water Needs | Moderate — consistent moisture, especially during fruit development |
| Bloom Season | Mid Spring flowers (late bloom reduces frost risk), Summer fruit |
| Growth Rate | Fast (2-3 ft/year) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone | 8a |
| Deer Resistant | No |
| Pet Safe | Check with a vet |
| Native to Georgia | No |
Planting Instructions & Regional Tips
Plant Contender Peach in full sun in well-drained soil, avoiding low frost-pocket areas of the yard, though its later bloom already reduces frost risk compared to other varieties. Prune annually in late winter to an open vase shape. Thin fruit for larger size, and monitor for peach tree borer and brown rot, common issues in humid Georgia summers. Check soil moisture regularly through the growing season, since Georgia's summer heat can dry out beds faster than expected, and inconsistent moisture is the most common cause of poor performance.
Fast Facts
- Later bloom time reduces late-frost crop loss risk
- Self-fruitful — no second tree needed
- Large, firm yellow freestone fruit, mid-summer harvest
- Mature size: 12-15 ft tall when pruned
- Good disease resistance for the region
- Needs winter chilling hours and good drainage
Pairs Well With
Contender Peach FAQs
Why does Contender Peach bloom later than other varieties?
Contender Peach was specifically bred with a later bloom time to reduce the risk of losing the fruit crop to a late spring frost, which can damage or kill open peach blossoms during Georgia's unpredictable early spring weather. This makes it a safer choice for growers who have experienced frost-related crop loss with earlier-blooming peach varieties.
Do deer eat Contender Peach?
Yes, Contender Peach is not considered deer resistant and can be browsed by deer, especially newly planted specimens. In Gwinnett County areas with heavy deer pressure, fencing or repellent application is worth considering until the plant is well established.