August Lady Peach

Prunus persica 'August Lady'

Nature Hills Nursery

Hardy in zones 5-9 with 800 chill hours for reliable fruiting year after year
Large freestone peaches ripen in late August with brilliant red blush over golden-yellow skin and firm, juicy flesh
Self-fertile tree produces heavy crops without a pollinator, perfect for fresh eating, canning, freezing, and baking
Fast-growing tree reaches 15-20 feet tall with stunning pink spring blooms and golden fall color

$83⁹²

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Plant Size

#3 Container | 3-4 ft

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Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Give your August Lady Peach at least eight hours of direct, unfiltered sunlight daily for the sweetest fruit and best disease resistance. Trees grown in partial shade produce smaller crops and struggle with fungal issues due to poor air circulation.

Soil: This peach thrives in deep, well-drained, slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. Heavy clay soils must be amended with coarse sand or planted on berms to prevent root rot. Sandy loam or loamy soil with good drainage is ideal. Avoid low-lying areas where cold air settles and frost damage is more likely during bloom time.

Watering Requirements

Water deeply once or twice weekly during the first two growing seasons to establish a strong root system. Mature trees need consistent moisture from bloom through harvest, especially during fruit development. Provide about one inch of water per week through rainfall or irrigation. Drought stress during fruit set causes smaller peaches and premature fruit drop, while inconsistent watering leads to fruit splitting.

Pruning Tips

Prune in late winter while the tree is still dormant to maintain an open center vase shape. Remove vertical shoots and thin out crowded branches to improve sunlight penetration and air circulation, which reduces disease pressure. Peaches fruit on one-year-old wood, so avoid removing all new growth. Thin fruit when peaches reach marble size, spacing them 6 to 8 inches apart along branches to encourage larger fruit size and prevent limb breakage.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced fertilizer like 10-10-10 in early spring just before new growth begins, using about one pound per year of tree age up to a maximum of ten pounds for mature trees. Avoid fertilizing after July as late nitrogen encourages tender new growth that won't harden off before winter. Over-fertilizing produces excessive foliage at the expense of fruit production and makes trees more susceptible to disease.

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

Shipping Rates

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

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

August Lady Peach (Prunus persica 'August Lady') earns its place in the home orchard by delivering a bumper crop of premium freestone peaches in late August, extending the harvest season when most other peach varieties have already finished. This reliable producer combines exceptional fruit quality with manageable care requirements, making it a favorite among orchardists and backyard fruit growers from zone 5 through zone 9.

Late Season Harvest Extends Summer Bounty

While early season peaches come and go, August Lady is just hitting its stride in late summer. The large freestone peaches ripen over several weeks from mid to late August, allowing you to harvest fresh fruit over an extended period rather than dealing with the entire crop at once. Each peach features a brilliant red blush over a golden-yellow background that makes them as beautiful as they are delicious. The firm, juicy, golden-yellow flesh has that classic sweet-tart peach flavor with enough structure to hold up beautifully in canning, freezing, and baking applications while remaining tender and juicy for fresh eating.

Stunning Ornamental Appeal Beyond the Harvest

The show begins in early spring when branches are covered in fragrant pink blossoms that attract bees and beneficial pollinators to your garden. This spectacular floral display happens before the leaves emerge, creating weeks of color when the rest of the landscape is still waking up. As the growing season progresses, the lance-shaped green foliage provides a lush canopy, and come autumn, leaves turn shades of gold and orange before dropping. This vase-shaped tree grows 15 to 20 feet tall with a 12 to 15 foot spread, making it manageable for most home landscapes.

Self-Fertile and Productive

August Lady is self-fertile, which means you only need one tree to get fruit. While a second peach variety can increase yields through cross-pollination, this cultivar produces heavy crops on its own. Trees typically begin bearing fruit within two to three years after planting, rewarding your patience with baskets of peaches much sooner than many other fruit trees. The fast growth rate means you'll have a shade-casting, fruit-producing tree in just a few seasons.

Perfect for the Home Orchard

With an 800 chill hour requirement, August Lady produces reliably in zones 5 through 9 where winters provide sufficient cold to break dormancy and promote strong spring bloom. This makes it adaptable to a wide range of climates from the mid-Atlantic through the Midwest and into the Pacific Northwest. Whether you're planting a dedicated fruit orchard or adding a single tree to your landscape for fresh eating and preserving, August Lady Peach delivers year after year. The freestone pit separates easily from the flesh, making food preparation effortless whether you're slicing peaches for a summer dessert, filling jars for winter pantry stock, or freezing them for smoothies and cobblers.

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Growing Zones 5-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for August Lady Peach to produce fruit?

August Lady typically begins producing fruit within two to three years after planting. The first few harvests may be lighter as the tree establishes, but by year four or five you can expect substantial crops. Proper pruning, thinning, and fertilization help trees reach productive maturity faster.

Do I need two peach trees for August Lady to produce fruit?

No, August Lady is self-fertile and produces excellent crops with just one tree. However, planting a second peach variety can improve pollination during poor weather conditions and may slightly increase overall yields. Consider adding an earlier ripening variety like Redhaven to extend your harvest window.

When exactly do August Lady peaches ripen and how do I know when they're ready?

August Lady peaches ripen in late August, typically 10 to 14 days after varieties like Elberta. Peaches are ready when the background color changes from green to golden-yellow and the fruit gives slightly when gently squeezed near the stem. The red blush intensifies but isn't a reliable indicator of ripeness. Ripe peaches will twist off the branch easily with a gentle upward lift.

What are the most common problems with peach trees and how do I prevent them?

Peach leaf curl, brown rot, and peach tree borers are the most common issues. Prevent peach leaf curl with a dormant copper spray in late winter before buds swell. Reduce brown rot by pruning for good air circulation, thinning fruit to prevent touching, and removing any mummified fruit from the tree and ground. Protect against borers by keeping the trunk area free of weeds and avoiding mechanical damage to the bark during mowing or trimming.

Can August Lady Peach tolerate clay soil?

August Lady can grow in clay soil only if drainage is improved. Amend planting holes with coarse sand and compost, or plant on a raised mound or berm to lift the root zone above poorly draining clay. Peach trees are extremely sensitive to wet feet and will develop root rot in soggy conditions. If your clay drains very poorly, consider planting in a large raised bed instead.

August Lady Peach