Desert Peach (Prunus)

Blooming in mid-spring, the shrubby Desert Peach (Prunus andersonii) perfumes the garden with its showy pink flowers, attracting bees and butterflies. Small oval leaves occur in clusters along the branches. The flowers are followed by numerous dime-sized peaches that are attractive to birds and wildlife, though not edible for humans. Desert Peach is a rarely grown, but very desirable, long-lived Western native shrub for the xeric garden.
Zones5 - 9
Advantages
bee-friendly
Bee Friendly
attract-butterflies
Attract Butterflies
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Attract Birds
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Native
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Good For Hedge / Screen
fragrant
Fragrant Flower / Foliage
Light Requirements
full-sun
Full Sun
Water Tolerance
Xeric
Mature Height 5-8' tall
Mature Spread5-8' wide
Bloom TimeLate spring
Shipping DetailsNow shipping to zone 10.
Other zones shipping soon.
Learn More…
Item Package SizePlant - 5" Deep Pot
SKUHC017889

USDA Hardiness Planting Zones

To determine if a plant is sufficiently cold hardy, the USDA created numbered zones indicating winter low temperatures; the lower the zone number the colder the winter.

  • If the coldest winter temperature expected in your area is -15°F (zone 5) then any plants rated zones 3-5 will survive the winter temperatures in your area.
  • If you live in very warm winter areas (zones 9-11) plants with zones 3-4 ratings are not recommended. The lack of freezing winter temperatures do not provide a time for winter dormancy (rest).

Find Your Planting Zone:

$16.99
Per Plant - 5" Deep Pot
In stock
SKU
HC017889
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Details
Blooming in mid-spring, the shrubby Desert Peach (Prunus andersonii) perfumes the garden. Its small pink flowers have five concave petals and whisker-like stamens, followed by a crop of fuzzy peaches, which have a heart-shaped seed in the center. Its native range includes eastern California and western Nevada, where it grows in the desert and mountains. This long-loved western native is rarely grown because of the difficulty of collecting its seed, but Chief Horticulturist David Salman has been Desert Peach for several decades in his Santa Fe gardens, where he collects the large seeds. It prefers sandy or decomposed granite soil, and careful attention to watering is needed to get the young plants established. But once comfortable, the shrub is long-lived and a wonderful addition to the xeric garden. Desert Peach is a host plant for a wide variety of butterflies and moths and provides habitat and food for birds and other pollinators. This plant is recommended for western gardens only. Companion plants include Apache Plume (Fallugia) and Sand Cherry (such as Prunus besseyi Pawnee Buttes®).
More Information
SKUHC017889
Item Package Size
Plant - 5" Deep Pot
Common Name
Desert Peach
Botanical Name
Prunus andersonii
Zones
5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Light Requirements
Full Sun
Flower Color
Pink
Mature Height
5-8' tall
Mature Spread
5-8' wide
Bloom Time
Late spring
Ships As
Potted Plant
Soil Type
Average Soil, Sandy Soil
Soil Moisture
Waterwise
Advantages
Bee Friendly, Attract Butterflies, Attract Birds, Native, Good For Hedge / Screen, Fragrant Flower / Foliage
Ideal Region
West, Western Only, Southwest, Hot Desert, Pacific Northwest
Planting Time
Spring / Summer, Fall
Neonicotinoid Free
Native To
North America
Ships To Canada
No
Planting Guides
Growing Shrubs and Small Trees:
The shrubs and trees we sell are 1-2 year-old seedlings. These young plants appreciate some extra attention during their first 3 years in your landscape.

    Preferred growing conditions:
  • Check each species soil preferences before planting. Some do well in clay while others do not.
  • Mulch with common mulching materials. As they get larger (2 ft. or more in height), thicken the mulch layer to a depth of 2-3 inches.
  • Even xeric (waterwise) species will establish better and grow more quickly when given regular irrigation during the first 3 years in the garden. As they begin to reach maturity, watering frequency can be reduced to a good deep soaking every 10 to 14 days during the heat of summer.
  • Plant in full sun or part sun depending on plant preference.
  • Dig a wide but shallow hole and enrich the soil with ample amounts of compost and Yum Yum. This will help them to grow and mature more quickly.
  • Special comments:
  • Most native shrubs and trees are highly recommended for providing wildlife habitat (nesting spots, fruit or seeds for songbirds and mammals, nectar for pollinators).
  • They are excellent for use to grow as natural (un-sheared!) hedges along fences, property lines and driveways. They live for many years once established.
  • Garden Care:
  • Fertilize in the fall with Yum Yum Mix and good quality compost. This is most important during the first 3 years in the landscape. Established plants don't need to be fertilized (unless growth is stunted by extremely poor soils).
  • Where browsing animals (rabbits, deer and others) are a problem, it is advisable to protect young plants with a wire cage. These can be removed after 3-4 years in the ground.
  • Mulching is essential to maintain the soil moisture these woody plants need to establish their deep growing roots. Be sure and replenish the mulch in fall and summer to keep it sufficiently deep.

  • View more Planting Guides, or download our complete Planting Guide for tips on caring for your plants when you receive your order, as well as planting instructions for Perennials, Spring-Planted Bulbs, Fall-Planted Bulbs, Cacti & Succulents, Xeric Plants and more.
Shipping
ZoneShipping Status
Zone 2Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 3Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 4Shipping begins the week of May 15th, 2023
Zone 5Shipping begins the week of May 1st, 2023
Zone 6Shipping begins the week of April 17th, 2023
Zone 7Shipping begins the week of April 3rd, 2023
Zone 8Shipping begins the week of April 3rd, 2023
Zone 9Shipping begins the week of April 3rd, 2023
Zone 10Now Shipping

As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Some perennials are shipped as potted plants, some as perennial roots packed in peat.  The ‘Plant Information’ section describes how that item will ship. All perennials and spring-planted bulbs are packaged to withstand shipping and are fully-guaranteed. Please open upon receipt and follow the instructions included.

Perennials and spring-planted bulbs are shipped at the proper planting time for your hardiness zone. Perennial and spring-planted bulb orders will arrive separately from seeds. If your order requires more than one shipment and all items are shipping to the same address, there is no additional shipping charge. See our shipping information page for approximate ship dates and more detailed information. If you have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (800) 925-9387 or contact us by email.

Shipping Rates

Our shipping rates are calculated based on our actual average shipping costs. We do not seek to profit from shipping fees, so rest assured that our shipping rates reflect an average of what it costs to get our guaranteed products safely to your door.

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$20 to $34.99$10.99
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$100 and Over$18.99

Canadian Shipping Charges

Merchandise Shipping
Charges
Up to $24.99$14.95
$25 to $49.99$19.95
$50 to $74.99$24.95
$75 to $99.99$29.95
$100 and Over$39.95

We charge one low flat rate for shipping our products even if your order requires multiple shipments. If you have any questions, please call us at (800) 925-9387.

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