June Princess Nectarine

Prunus persica 'June Princess'

Nature Hills Nursery

Hardy in zones 5-9 with vigorous growth and excellent disease resistance
Self-pollinating tree produces abundant crops of sweet, freestone nectarines without requiring a second tree
Deep red skin with golden yellow flesh ripens in June and July with exceptional hang time for extended harvest
Showy pink spring blossoms attract pollinators before developing into medium-sized fruit that's perfect for fresh eating

$83⁹²

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Plant Size

#3 Container | 3-4 ft

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Plant in full sun with at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily for maximum fruit production. Trees grown in partial shade will produce fewer blossoms and smaller crops.

Soil: Thrives in well-drained sandy or loamy soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Heavy clay soils need amending with coarse sand or compost to improve drainage. Plant in a raised bed if your soil stays wet, as standing water leads to root rot. Avoid low-lying areas where cold air settles, as late spring frosts can damage blossoms.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply twice weekly during the first growing season to establish a strong root system. Once established, provide two gallons of water per week or one inch of rainfall during the growing season. Mature trees can go two weeks between waterings with this same amount. Keep soil evenly moist during fruit development, as inconsistent watering causes fruit splitting and drop. Reduce watering in fall as trees enter dormancy.

Pruning Tips

Prune annually during late winter dormancy before buds swell. Nectarines produce fruit on one-year-old wood, so removing some of the previous year's growth encourages new fruiting branches. Thin the canopy to allow sunlight and air circulation, which reduces disease pressure. After harvest, thin next year's fruiting wood to pencil-sized branches spaced 4 to 6 inches apart for larger fruit. Summer pruning controls tree height and maintains manageable size.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced fruit tree fertilizer or one higher in phosphorus and lower in nitrogen in early spring before new growth begins. Too much nitrogen produces excessive leafy growth at the expense of fruit production and makes trees more susceptible to disease. A second light application in early summer supports fruit development. Avoid fertilizing after July, as late-season growth won't harden off before winter and becomes vulnerable to frost damage.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4	Week of March 30th
Zone 5	Week of March 16th
Zone 6	Week of March 2nd
Zone 7	Week of February 23rd
Zone 8-12	Week of February 15th

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Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

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June Princess Nectarine brings the sweet taste of summer to your backyard with juicy, freestone fruit that ripens when the season is just heating up. This productive cultivar of Prunus persica stands out for its reliable harvests, disease resistance, and the exceptional quality of its fruit. Unlike fuzzy peaches, nectarines have smooth, glossy skin that requires no peeling, and June Princess delivers classic nectarine flavor with deep red skin and golden yellow flesh that's sweet, firm, and perfectly balanced.

Spring Beauty Sets the Stage

Before the fruit arrives, June Princess puts on a spring flower show that rivals any ornamental tree. In early spring, branches explode with fragrant pink blossoms that attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to your garden. These showy flowers appear before the leaves fully emerge, creating a cloud of pink that signals winter's end. The blossoms are not just beautiful but also self-fertile, meaning you only need one tree to get a full crop of fruit. Planting a second nectarine nearby will increase yields, but it's completely optional.

Harvest Season Glory

The real payoff comes in June and July when this fast-growing tree delivers its namesake harvest. Medium-sized nectarines develop with predominantly red skin that deepens as they ripen, with less yellow showing through than many other varieties. What makes June Princess exceptional is its hang time. Most stone fruits need immediate picking once ripe, but these nectarines can stay on the tree for weeks after reaching maturity, ripening to full softness and developing deeper sugar levels without dropping or spoiling. This extended harvest window means you can pick fruit as you need it rather than processing bushels all at once.

The freestone flesh separates cleanly from the pit, making these nectarines ideal for fresh eating, slicing into salads, grilling, or baking into cobblers and tarts. The firm texture holds up well to handling and transport, so fruit stays beautiful from tree to table.

Vigorous Growth and Reliable Performance

June Princess grows with enthusiasm, reaching 12 to 15 feet in height and spread at maturity. This vigor translates to fruit production, with trees often bearing within the first few seasons after planting. The cultivar shows notable disease resistance compared to older nectarine varieties, reducing the need for intensive spraying programs. Regular pruning maintains tree health, controls size, and ensures consistent annual crops by stimulating new fruiting wood.

Cold hardiness extends from zone 5 through zone 9, making June Princess adaptable to diverse climates. The tree requires a winter chill period to break dormancy and produce flowers, which occurs naturally across its hardiness range. In warmer zones, it performs particularly well for southern gardeners seeking a reliable nectarine that thrives in heat.

Why Grow June Princess Nectarine

If you want fresh nectarines without the fuss of complicated cross-pollination requirements or constant disease battles, June Princess delivers. The combination of self-fertility, disease resistance, extended harvest period, and superior fruit quality makes this one of the best nectarine choices for home orchards. Whether you're establishing a backyard fruit collection or adding to an existing orchard, June Princess gives you professional-quality nectarines with straightforward care requirements.

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Growing Zones 5-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

How soon will June Princess Nectarine produce fruit?

Most June Princess trees begin producing fruit within 2 to 3 years after planting, with some bearing as early as the first season if planted as a larger specimen. Full production typically starts by year 4. Trees purchased as larger caliper stock will fruit sooner than smaller bareroot whips.

Do I need to plant a second nectarine tree for pollination?

No, June Princess is completely self-fertile and produces abundant fruit without a pollination partner. However, planting a second nectarine or compatible stone fruit tree nearby can increase overall fruit set and yield if you want maximum production.

How do I know when the nectarines are ready to pick?

Ripe nectarines lose all traces of green and develop full red coloration. The fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure and separates easily from the branch with a slight twist. June Princess has excellent hang time, so fruit can ripen fully on the tree and even soften for peak sweetness without dropping. Taste one to confirm ripeness before harvesting the rest.

Why does my nectarine tree drop small fruit in early summer?

Natural fruit drop in June is normal and actually beneficial. Trees shed excess fruit they cannot support to full maturity. You can enhance this by hand-thinning fruit to one nectarine every 4 to 6 inches along branches when they're marble-sized. This produces fewer but larger, sweeter nectarines and prevents branch breakage from heavy fruit loads.

Can June Princess Nectarine grow in a container?

While standard trees reach 12 to 15 feet, you can grow June Princess in a large container with regular pruning to maintain a smaller size. Use a container at least 20 inches in diameter with excellent drainage. Container trees require more frequent watering and fertilizing than in-ground plantings but allow you to grow fruit even with limited space.

June Princess Nectarine