Big Red Peach

Name: Big Red Peach
Brand: Nature Hills Nursery
SKU: 23431E
Price: 62.94 USD
Availability: OutOfStock
Rating: 4.62 (8 reviews)

Prunus persica 'Big Red'

Hardy in zones 5-9, Big Red Peach thrives across a wide range of climates from the Midwest to the Southeast
Produces large, deeply red-blushed peaches with sweet, juicy yellow flesh that ripens in midsummer for fresh eating, canning, and baking
Self-fertile tree begins bearing fruit in as little as 2 to 3 years after planting, with mature trees yielding up to 150 pounds per season
Showy pink spring blooms put on a spectacular show before the leaves emerge, making this tree ornamental even before harvest

$62⁹⁴

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Plant Size

Product variants

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Understanding Our Container Sizes

At Nature Hills, our plants are sold in industry-standard nursery containers. You will notice we use the word "container" rather than "gallon." Container numbers follow a nursery trade size standard, not liquid volume. The number tells you the plant's size category and general maturity level. A larger container means a more established plant with a stronger root system.

Container Sizes

Quart

Plant age: 6 months to 1 year
Best for: Ground covers, perennials, ornamental grasses
What to expect: Our smallest and most affordable size. Well-suited for planting in multiples across a large area. Allow 1 to 2 seasons for full establishment.

#1 Container

Plant age: 1 to 2 years
Best for: Shrubs, perennials, smaller trees
What to expect: About the size of a large coffee can. A well-developed root system in a manageable size. Good value choice when you have time to let the plant grow into the space over a season or two.

#2 Container

Plant age: 2 to 3 years
Best for: Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment
What to expect: A noticeable step up from a #1 in both plant size and root development. Good choice when you want visible presence without going to a larger size.

#3 Container

Plant age: 3 to 4 years
Best for: Most plants, most situations — flowering trees, shade trees, evergreen shrubs
What to expect: Our most popular size. Strong, developed root system. Plants in a #3 container make an immediate visual impact from day one. If you want a head start rather than waiting seasons for a plant to fill in, this is typically the right choice.

#5 Container and Larger

Plant age: 4 to 5+ years
Best for: Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact
What to expect: Large, mature plants ready to make an immediate statement in your landscape. We also carry #7 and larger sizes for select varieties.

Why "Container" and Not "Gallon"?

Nursery container sizes follow an industry trade standard established for the nursery and horticulture industry. The number is a size designation, not a measurement of liquid volume. Actual soil volume varies by plant type, root mass, and growing medium. Using "container" is the accurate industry term. When you see #1, #2, or #3, think of it as the plant's size tier, not a gallon measurement.

Root Pouch Containers

Some Nature Hills plants arrive in a Root Pouch, a breathable fabric container made from 100% recycled materials. Root Pouches encourage denser root development through air pruning, which discourages root circling and promotes a stronger, more fibrous root ball at the time of planting.

Plants growing in Root Pouch fabric containers, showing the breathable woven fabric construction

There are two types. Knowing which one you have changes how you plant:

Degradable (brown or tan fabric): Plant the entire pouch directly in the ground. The fabric breaks down naturally in the soil over time.
Non-degradable (black or gray fabric): Remove the pouch before planting. Cut the bottom open with scissors, then peel the sides away. The fibrous root ball will hold its shape.

Not sure which type you have? Check the tag on your plant or contact us and we will confirm.

Full Root Pouch planting guide

Choosing the Right Size

Size	Plant Age	Best For
Quart	6 mo to 1 yr	Ground covers, perennials, grasses. Budget-friendly for mass plantings.
#1 Container	1 to 2 yrs	Shrubs, perennials, small trees. Value choice for patient gardeners.
#2 Container	2 to 3 yrs	Shrubs and trees where you want faster establishment.
#3 Container	3 to 4 yrs	Most plants. Immediate visual impact. Our most popular size.
#5 and larger	4+ yrs	Specimen plants, privacy screens, maximum instant impact.

Still not sure which size is right for your project? Our plant specialists are happy to help. Contact us and we will point you in the right direction.

Plant specifications
Plant Characteristics	Cold hardy, Flowering, Edible, Self-pollinating, Ornamental Berries/Fruit, Attracts pollinators, Fast-growing, Fall Color/Interest
Hardiness Zone	5a to 9b
Sunlight	Full sun
Height	12-15 ft
Width	12-15 ft
Preferred Soil	Clay, Loamy, Peaty, Sandy
Growth Rate	Fast
Blooms In	Spring
Flower Color	Pink
Fragrant	Yes
Suitable Space	Outdoors
Plant Name	Cherry
Botanical Name	Prunus persica 'Big Red'
Species	persica
Cultivar	Big Red
Class	Magnoliopsida
Does Not Ship To	AK, CA, HI, ID, MT, OR, PR, WA

The Peach That Lives Up to Its Name

Big Red Peach (Prunus persica 'Big Red') delivers exactly what its name promises: large, richly colored fruit with a deep crimson blush that practically glows in the summer sun. This reliable, self-fertile peach tree puts on a spring show of soft pink blossoms before the leaves even unfurl, then rewards patient gardeners with generous crops of sweet, juicy peaches by midsummer. If you have been hesitant to grow peaches because of pest complexity or pollination requirements, Big Red is a great starting point. It is self-fertile, so a single tree is all you need to get fruit, and it adapts readily to a wide range of climates across zones 5 through 9.

Fruit Worth Growing For

The peaches Big Red produces have yellow flesh that is firm enough to hold up in a canning jar but sweet and aromatic enough to eat over the sink. The skin develops that signature deep red blush as the fruit matures through July and into August, signaling that it is approaching peak ripeness. Thinning the developing fruit to about one peach every four to six inches of branch will give you noticeably bigger, more flavorful results at harvest. A mature Big Red can yield up to 150 pounds in a good season, which gives you plenty for fresh eating, preserves, pies, and the freezer.

Seasons of Interest

Spring arrives with a wave of pink blossoms before the foliage emerges, which makes Big Red Peach genuinely ornamental even in years when a late frost impacts fruit set. The narrow, lance-shaped green leaves fill in quickly as temperatures warm, and by midsummer the branches bend gently with the weight of developing fruit. Fall brings yellow foliage before the tree goes dormant, giving it four seasons of visual interest in the home landscape.

Orchard and Landscape Use

Big Red grows to a manageable 12 to 15 feet tall and wide at maturity, which suits backyard orchards, mixed fruit gardens, and even standalone specimen plantings. With consistent annual pruning to an open-center vase shape, you can keep it slightly more compact and make harvesting easier. Plant it in full sun with good air circulation and well-drained soil, and it will anchor a productive home orchard for 15 to 20 years with attentive care.

A Note on Disease Management

Peach trees in general are susceptible to a handful of common issues, including peach leaf curl, brown rot, and bacterial spot. The good news is that most of these are preventable with a straightforward seasonal spray program and good cultural practices: clean up fallen leaves and fruit at the end of the season, prune for airflow, and apply a copper-based dormant spray before buds swell in late winter. Following this routine consistently will keep Big Red healthy and productive year after year.

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Big Red Peach needs at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily for maximum fruit production. Trees planted in shadier spots will grow just fine but will produce smaller, less flavorful fruit and are more prone to disease.

Soil: Plant in well-drained, fertile, slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Heavy clay is manageable if you amend it with compost and coarse sand or plant the tree on a slight rise to keep roots from sitting in water. Avoid sites where other stone fruits have grown in the last few years to prevent soilborne diseases from carrying over.

Watering Requirements

Water your newly planted Big Red Peach deeply once or twice a week during the first growing season, soaking the root zone to encourage a strong root system. Once established, the tree becomes moderately drought tolerant but produces its best fruit with consistent moisture, especially during the six weeks leading up to harvest. Irregular watering during fruit development can cause splitting or uneven ripening, so aim for steady soil moisture throughout summer.

Pruning Tips

Prune Big Red Peach every late winter or very early spring before buds swell. Peaches fruit on one-year-old wood, so annual pruning is not optional but essential: remove branches older than two years and thin crowded growth to open the canopy to light and airflow. Train the tree to an open vase or bowl shape with three to four main scaffold limbs, which keeps the center open, reduces disease pressure, and makes harvesting much easier. Fruit thinning at marble size to one peach every four to six inches along a branch dramatically improves the size and sweetness of what remains.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring just as growth resumes, following label rates for a young fruit tree. As the tree matures, switch to a fertilizer with a slightly lower nitrogen ratio to encourage fruiting over leafy growth. Avoid fertilizing after midsummer, as late-season nitrogen pushes tender new growth that can be damaged by early fall frosts.

This product has no reviews of its own. The merchant grouped it with related products, so the reviews shown are from across that group.

So far it is doing well

So far it is doing well. I’m anxious to see how it blooms in the spring!

Contender is a great peach to watch come spring. The blooms arrive early and the tree tends to put on a real show before the fruit sets. Keep an eye out for any late frosts in your area since the blossoms can be sensitive, and you should be in good shape for a solid first season. Thanks for the update, Cindy. The Nature Hills Team

Doing ok.

The tree arrived in healthy condition and is off to a good start

The tree arrived in healthy condition and is off to a good start.

Contender Peach is a great choice, especially if you are in a colder region since it handles late frosts better than most peach varieties. Glad yours arrived in good shape and is settling in well. Keep the soil consistently moist through the first season and it should reward you with a strong root system before long.

Absolutely gorgeous tree. She did have 3 peaches growing on her, 2 fell off during shipping one did survive. Loved the packaging and care put into shipping out my tree.

Came healthy and stayed alive

Very pleased with the quality of my tree and that it didn’t come dead from the stresses of being shipped. This was my 5th tree ,that I purchase this year, and haven’t had any issues.

Hi Amanda,

Thank you so much for sharing your positive experience and for trusting us with your tree purchases—five times this year is truly a testament to your gardening passion! We’re delighted to hear that your tree arrived healthy and has thrived without any shipping issues. Ensuring your plants arrive safely and thrive in your care is always our top priority.

If you ever want tips for ongoing tree care or recommendations for future additions to your garden, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help your garden grow beautifully all season long!

Rooting for your garden’s success,
Your Nature Hills Plant Care Team

SUPER FAST GROWING!

Planted this in spring of 2021, less than 16 months ago. I live in Zone 5B and I have slightly alkalinic soil and a lot of sunlight. When this was planted, it was only about 4 feet tall with almost no branches. I'm writing this review in September, 2022. I only water my tree if it's been over a week without rain and do not use fertilizer.Since planting this last spring, its trunk has over doubled in diameter (3/4 inch to about 2 inches). It has over tripled in height, reaching about 14 feet tall and about 10 feet wide. The tree branches were heavily laden with dozens of peaches in its first spring. Unfortunately, the squirrels in my area ate every single peach off the tree. So I wasn't able to try them out yet, but I did find a half-eaten one up another tree that I cut in half and smelled. It was firm and fragrant - much better than store-bought. I look forward to trying out the peaches next year, perhaps. Also, birds love the tree and it does produce lovely spring blossoms, (which only last for a few weeks). I just started my garden last year and I never expected shade so soon! Unbelievably fast growing and beautiful. Worth far more than the price (compared with many other trees I've tried planting).

Hi Michael,

Thank you so much for sharing such a detailed and enthusiastic update on your tree’s progress! We’re thrilled to hear how remarkably well it’s grown in Zone 5B and with your alkaline soil and sunny conditions. It sounds like you’ve given it excellent care with just the right balance of watering—that’s wonderful!

It’s definitely exciting how quickly your tree has developed such a substantial trunk and large branches. Your observation about the peaches attracting squirrels is a common one, unfortunately, especially with this type of fruit tree. For next season, you might consider options like employing wildlife-friendly deterrents such as mesh netting, reflective tape, or even planting sacrificial feeder plants nearby to help save more of your harvest for yourself. And how lovely that the birds are enjoying your tree too—what a vibrant garden you’re creating!

We can’t wait to hear how you like those first whole peaches once you reclaim them from those clever visitors! In the meantime, feel free to reach out whenever you want tips on wildlife protection or general care throughout the seasons.

Bloom on,
The Nature Hills Plant Knowledge Team

lila.

It is great!

Hi Lila,

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback! We’re thrilled to hear that your experience was great. If you ever have any questions about your plants or need advice on care, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help your garden thrive.

Wishing you happy planting,
The Nature Hills Plant Experts

lila.

It is great!

Dear Lila,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that you’re pleased with your experience. If there’s ever anything you’d like to know more about or any way we can assist you in your gardening journey, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help your garden thrive every step of the way!

Welcoming growth together,
Nature Hills Nursery – Your Trusted Plant Specialists

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Big Red Peach

Prunus persica 'Big Red'

Other Cherry varieties

The Peach That Lives Up to Its Name

Fruit Worth Growing For

Seasons of Interest

Orchard and Landscape Use

A Note on Disease Management

Where to Plant

Watering Requirements

Pruning Tips

Fertilizer Needs

Shipping Rates

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Big Red Peach

Prunus persica 'Big Red'

Other Cherry varieties

Specifications

Description

The Peach That Lives Up to Its Name

Fruit Worth Growing For

Seasons of Interest

Orchard and Landscape Use

A Note on Disease Management

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Watering Requirements

Pruning Tips

Fertilizer Needs

Delivery and Shipping

Shipping Rates

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