Prunus persica 'Contender'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- PROO-nus PER-se-kuh
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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It is a great cold-hardy cultivar that can adapt to temperature falls below zero. It is developed in Raleigh, NC. Self-pollinating with heavy bearing each year.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases and a factsheet on common pests.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Prunus
- Species:
- persica
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Edibility:
- It produces medium-sized, freestone, red fruit. The flesh is firm, sweet and juicy. Non-browning with excellent quality.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- High
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Description:
- It produces medium-sized, freestone, red fruit. The flesh is firm, sweet and juicy. Non-browning with excellent quality. Ripens in mid to late August.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Pink
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Description:
- The pink flower blooms in the spring and attracts bees.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are lanceolate shaped, 3-6 inches in length and 0.8-1.2 inches broad. Pinnately veined.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Medium
- Poison Symptoms:
- The pits contain cyanide compounds, which are poisonous. If a couple of pits are accidentally swallowed, it will not cause poisoning. The pits are more poisonous if they are ground up/crushed or the seeds are chewed. Fruit that has not been pitted should not be blended into a smoothie. Symptoms include Gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- cyanide
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Seeds
- Stems
