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The University of Florida and others have been working hard for years to develop tropical, low chill peach varieties that will grow in zones 9 and 10. These are some of the more popular varieties for South Florida dooryard gardens.
Earligrande is a new small to medium clingstone variety for 2009 that ripens in mid-April. Self pollinating, 200 chill hours.
UF Beauty is one of the most disease resistant and one of the sweetest non-melting varieties that ripens in mid-May. Fruit sweetens longer on the tree. Self-pollinating. 200 chill hours.
Flodabelle, a very popular high yielding variety, has large (2.5-3"), red skinned fruit that ripens in May. Self-pollinating. 200 chill hours.
Florida Prince is a Very heat resistant variety with firm yellow flesh and red blush skin that ripens in May. Self-pollinating. 150 chill hours.
Tropic Beauty Is a medium size, red skinned semi-freestone with soft, yellow flesh that ripens in mid-May. Excellent flavor. Self-pollinating. 150 chill hours.
UF Sun This ultra-low chill variety only needs 100 chill hours. The non-melting, semi-cling flesh ripens in late april to early May. Sweetens longer on the tree. Red over bright yellow flesh.
White flesh
Tropic Snow is a Medium sized, delicious white freestone peach that has creamy white, firm, aromatic flesh with balanced acid and sugar and superb flavor. Showy blossoms. Harvest begins mid June. Self-pollinating. 200 chill hours.
Saucer Peaches
UFO is an unusual saucer shaped peach from the University of Florida. Firm, non-melting flesh with incredibly sweet taste has been popular in Asia for hundreds of years. Legend has it that emperors loved it, because it could be eaten without dripping juice on their beards. 250 chill hours. Zone 8b-9.
Resources:
Just Fruits and Exotics Nursery
Photo copyright Annette Kristensen / sxc.hu
More about Florida Gardening:
When to plant vegetables in South Florida
How to kill fire ants naturally
Comments
How interesting, I had no idea they were trying to steal Georgia's peach monopoly in Florida! :)
I'm making ginger-peach butter this weekend, so I already had peaches on the brain all week.
Never heard of ginger-peach butter, Elizabeth. Great article!
Great article! I looooove peaches!
Oh yum! Sounds wonderful.
If this means we can have fresh fruit all year round I am for this.
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