I’ve mentioned before that I’m a huge fan for the genus Prunus so you won’t be flabbergasted when I tell you that I like this little ornamental dwarf peach called ‘Bonfire’ (Prunus persica). I bought it last year for my wife who wanted a peach tree. Unfortunately at the time I didn’t realize that it was merely ornamental and not necessarily a fruiting peach tree. It had fruit on it when I purchased it but they never amounted to anything. Despite the my failure in finding a fruit tree with edible fruit I really like this little prunus. It’s a dwarf and doesn’t get much larger than 8 feet tall (the height differs according to what you read). The emerging purple foliage blends beautifully with the pink colored flowers.
‘Bonfire’ is just one of several members of the Prunus genus that really like. I may have four Yoshino cherry trees (I say may since one small one has yet to bloom and I have doubts about it’s origins), a couple of Prunus cerasifera, I mentioned the Okame cherry the other day, and I even have what I think is a peach tree that emerged from one of my planting beds. Yes, I experiment so much I can’t remember everything I do! I suspect I popped that little peach pit in a bed just to see what, if anything, would happen. I love it when something cool, like a free plant, happens!
The flowers on this peach are spectacular. Our tree is small now but can you imagine how a ‘Bonfire’ would look partnered with the white flowers of my Yoshino cherry trees? I’ll have to show you the pictures of my Yoshino cherries soon, they are beautiful this year!
The dark foliage is very cool too. Perhaps underplanting it with a silvery color plant like ‘Powis Castle’ artemisia would make for a nice combination.
Now I just have to find an awesome peach tree cultivar that needs no spraying, has no disease problems, the deer won’t eat, and produces copious amounts of delectable fruit. I’m not asking for too much am I?
I love Prunus too… but am a sucker for actual fruit! My best experience growing peaches so far (on the Oregon coast where it's supposed to be impossible) is the variety 'Frost'– it's relatively disease-resistant, though I've had small outbreaks of peach leaf curl. Lots of fruit!
I don't think your asking too much. I really like the dwarf variety. Being in town that way I can squeeze in more. lol
I have lots of small fruit on my semi-dwarf peach.
What cute little trees – both with the dark foliage and pink flowers. And yes, I'm thinking you have a good trek ahead of you, finding the deer-resistant, disease-free tree with Delicious Edible fruit! 🙂
A sweet tree indeed!
I love the burgundy leaves and sweet flowers together~
Hey…if you ever find that peach tree cultivar that needs no spraying, has no disease problems, the deer won't eat, and produces copious amounts of delectable fruit, please let me know! 🙂
No seriously, I love the flowers on your dwarf tree, even though it won't produce any fruit.
I have this peach tree and I have had no problems what so ever from it. My little tree produces alot of fruit. Last year I got 18 littles trees off of my tree and it is only 4 years old. This year I already have 16 little trees that have popped up. I planted one of the little trees at the end of the season and it is already a foot tall. My tree is about 5ft tall and is very healthy. It even survived my husband spraying it with plant killer.
I have this peach tree too and it does produce fruit. My peach tarts have a gorgeous red color and are delicious. Its a better cooking peach than eating off the tree. I love it.
Denise – Mine is about 7-8' tall, 9-10 yrs old. Get lots of compliments on its' beauty. It is absolutely LOADED with peaches each year. Since they never really developed didn't think they were good for consumption. Local garden shop advised me to strip the fruit from the branches as soon as they develop so that the nutrition went into the tree. They were right, tree prettier (if that's possible) last three years without the fruit. It takes a lot of time to pull off all the tiny peaches. Now thanks to you, I'm going to leave the fruit on this year & try it for jellies, etc.
Lois Foster February 13, 2014 @12:41pm