Peaches are one of the least cold hardy stone fruit trees. This is why I’m so eager to share five USDA zone 4 peach tree varieties with you.
Most peach varieties lose their buds and new growth in -15℉ weather, and the trees will die if the temperatures drop 10 more degrees.
Your peach buds, blossoms, and fruits can be damaged by the late spring, which is why it’s essential to check your growing zone before selecting a variety.
5 Peach Tree Varieties That Grow Well in USDA Zone 4
1. Raritan Rose Peach Tree (Purnus persica ‘Raritan Rose’)
The Raritan Rose variety produces white-fleshed peaches with a sweet and aromatic flavor. These peaches have beautiful yellow and red skin that’s blushed with hints of rosy red, which might be why they’re called Raritan Rose.
Like most peach varieties, Raritan Rose trees are self-pollinating, so you’ll only need one, but they’re so good you may want to plant more. These freestone peaches make it easy to process since the pit separates easily from the fruit when they’re ripe.
Raritan Rose trees are small-to-medium sized, so there’s room to work with when choosing a planting site.
The sweetly scented blossoms bloom in the late spring, and they attract hummingbirds and vital pollinators. Raritan Rose trees look amazing when their pink flowers blossom amid the vibrant green foliage.
Being cold hardy, this peach variety requires a good freeze with 900 to 1000 chill hours to produce a bountiful harvest. Which growers can expect mid-season in early July. Raritan peaches are deliciously sweet with a firm texture. Many people agree that they’re sweet, like candy.
There are numerous ornamental trees, and the Raritan Peach is considered one of them. Not only are the foliage and blossoms colorful, but the shape of the tree is appealing to the eye as well. The long pointed, and narrow leaves have a slight natural ripple adding texture to top things off.
Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size At Maturity: 12 -18 ft tall with a 12 – 15 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Late spring / Harvest in July
Available at: Nature Hills
2. Reliance Peach (Prunus persica ‘Reliance’)
The Reliance variety is a late-season peach producer that requires 1000 chill hours. It’s considered one of the coldest hardy varieties. Add it to the list of freestone peaches, which makes it easy to prep. This peach variety is one to add to your list of fast-growing trees that grow well in the same zone.
The juicy yellow flesh of these peaches has a fine texture and is covered by a golden-colored skin with a deep pink bush. The beautiful pink flowers bloom during the spring, with fruits ready to harvest from July through August.
People living in colder climates are grateful for cold hardy fruit trees, especially peaches. Reliance peaches can reach up to 15 feet at maturity. However some people like to keep them under 8 feet as it makes for an easier harvest. That said, prune your peach tree in the summer if you wish to control the size.
Reliance peaches are named thus because of their durability, tolerance, and reliability. Not to mention, growers can reap a harvest between 15 to 30 pounds a year. While some peaches can be overly tart, the Reliance variety is mild and sweet.
Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size At Maturity: 12 – 15 ft tall with a 12 – 15 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Early- to mid-spring / July to August
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
3. Flamin’ Fury (Prunus persica ‘PF 24-C Cold Hardy’)
The Flamin’ Fury is one of the largest peaches on record, weighing a little under two pounds a piece. Not only is this variety large, but they’re also incredibly delicious. Fruits are ready to harvest mid-season, and they’re extremely cold-hardy.
The beautiful fragrant blossoms of this peach tree blossom in the middle of spring, attracting various butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators to the area. Since Flamin’ Fury trees are self-pollinating, you only need one. But that doesn’t mean you won’t want more.
These peaches are a beautiful deep red color with golden highlights. The bold peachy flavor of this freestone variety is sweet with juicy flesh that resists bruising, and it stores well to boot.
Flamin’ Fury trees are mid to medium in size, with large round peaches that make an excellent mid-season crop. If you enjoy growing ornamental trees in zone 4, why not choose a pretty peach? You’ll get fragrant flowers, delicious fruits, and a showy tree once early spring hits. The peaches store well, and they’re excellent for preserves, baking, and canning.
Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size At Maturity: 12 – 18 ft tall with a 12 – 15 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Early spring / Late July through early August
Available at: Nature Hills
4. Contender Peach (Prunus persica)
As far as this fruit goes, Contender peaches meet the mark with the diversity of areas they’ll grow. It’s an excellent cold-hardy variety with quite a tolerance to occasional spring frosts, which is why it’s no surprise that they flourish in the northern regions of the US.
It doesn’t take long before growers have the opportunity to harvest the large velvety peaches. Many peach lovers feel as though Contenders are one of the most flavorful fresh peaches on the market. Unlike some peach varieties, the Contender stores well and doesn’t turn brown before their time.
Add to the delicious juicy fruits and beautiful fragrant flowers; Contender peaches have excellent disease resistance that helps them flourish.
Aside from being a hardy variety, this tree consistently yields large crops of sweet, medium-to-large fruit. The yellow flesh is juicy and perfect for eating fresh off the tree, cooking, freezing, and canning.
While the Contender variety is self-pollinating, it wouldn’t hurt to add another pollinator close by to increase the size of your harvest.
Contender peach trees require well-drained soil and full sun to thrive. If you’re looking for the best quality and quantity, you should prune the tree, and fruits should be thinned.
This peach variety has an incredible resistance to bacterial leaf spot. It’s essential that Contender trees get 1000 chill hours in the winter to go dormant before properly setting fruit in the spring.
Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size At Maturity: 12 – 15 feet tall with a 12 – 15 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Early to mid-spring / Harvest in August
Available at: Fast-Growing-Trees & Nature Hills
5. BlushingStar Peach (Prunus persica ‘BlushingStar’)
Blushingstar peaches have a creamy white flesh that’s crisp and juicy. This cold, hardy, high-quality freestone peach has beautiful flesh and an incredibly sweet flavor. If you enjoy sliced peaches but hate how they brown, the Blushingstar variety is an excellent choice. This is because they resist browning when they’re sliced.
Blushingstar peaches are more acidic than most white peach varieties. Which makes them excellent for eating fresh, preserves, and canning. Not only do these pretty peaches taste amazing, but they also smell amazing with their floral scent.
Growers are rewarded with a prolific harvest of pink to red-blushed medium-sized fruit that keeps relatively well. It’s believed to be one of the heaviest bearers with superior disease resistance to bacterial spot.
Peaches of this variety ripen in mid-August. They become productive within a few years after planting. If you want heavier crops, it’s best to thin the fruits regularly. Of course, Blushingstar peach trees are self-fertile, so they won’t require a second variety. However, having more than one heightens the potential for increased production or larger fruits.
I love the dark pinkish-red flower blooms. The small to large-sized fruits ripen mid-season. They’re fully freestone with white flesh that has an excellent flavor profile. Blushingstar peaches have been described as sweet, slightly acidic, and incredibly aromatic. They also resist browning when they’ve been cut, making them excellent for fresh fruit trays.
Other Common Names: Blushing Star, Blushing Peaches
Growing Zones: 4 – 8
Average Size At Maturity: 12 – 15 ft tall with a 12 – 15 ft spread
Flowering / Fruiting Season: Early-to-mid spring / August
Cold Hardy Peach Tree Varieties Perfect For Zone 4
While the list of peach trees for USDA zone 4 isn’t as lengthy as apple tree varieties, there are a handful of excellent options.
I appreciate the fact that you can find types that vary on harvest time. If you plan things right, you could be harvesting juicy peaches early, mid, and late-season in zone 4.
While you only have a few cold-hardy options, there is a variety perfect for every form of preservation. They’re all delicious and eaten fresh off the tree.
