Peach Gorgeous Tree

Peach Gorgeous Tree

Peach Gorgeous is a full-sized peach tree, meaning it is better planted in the ground rather than a pot. The fruit is yellow-fleshed with attractive purple-red striped skin and a juicy fresh flavour. ^[1] The spring blossom makes for a very ornamental feature in the garden.

Gorgeous is self-fertile, so one tree can crop without another peach tree nearby. As with other peaches, flowering can be early, when few pollinating insects are active, so hand pollination with a small soft brush can help improve fruit set, especially if the tree is grown under cover. ^{[1] [3]}

This is a late peach. Picking month is late September if growing under glass, and outdoor crops need at least two weeks more. That makes site choice important: the warmer and more sheltered the position, the better the chance of ripening fruit properly in the UK. ^[1]

It is supplied on St Julien A rootstock, which makes it better suited to a garden, greenhouse, polytunnel or fan-trained wall. ^{[1] [2]} On St Julien A, expect an approximate final height of 3–4.5m as a bush, with mature crop estimates of about 19kg for a bush tree and 9kg for a fan-trained tree. These figures are for guidance only. ^[2]

Planting a Peach Gorgeous Tree

Plant Peach Gorgeous in full sun, in well-drained, moderately fertile soil. A south-facing or west-facing sheltered wall is ideal, and fan training is a strong option because it gives the tree warmth, support and easier protection from frost and peach leaf curl. Avoid north-facing walls and cold, exposed positions. ^{[1] [3] [5]}

Peach Gorgeous is supplied potted. Container-grown peach trees can potentially be planted through much of the year when conditions are suitable, but for best establishment, plant from late autumn to spring where possible, and avoid planting during hot, dry weather, frozen ground or waterlogged conditions. ^[3] We estimate at least 1-2 years before full peach tree establishment.

Free-standing planting is possible, but only in a really warm, sheltered position where spring frosts are unlikely. In most UK gardens, a sunny wall, fence, greenhouse or protected structure gives a peach tree a better chance of ripening fruit and makes blossom and leaf-curl protection much easier. ^{[3] [4]}

If fan training against a wall or fence, allow enough width. RHS guidance says fan-trained peaches can reach around 3.5–5m across depending on variety, while established fans are often kept to about 2m high and up to 5m wide. This is useful where you want a manageable tree, but it does require regular training and pruning. ^[3]

Although Peach Gorgeous is supplied potted, it should not be confused with compact patio peaches such as Bonanza. St Julien A is a semi-vigorous rootstock, so long-term success is usually better in the ground or trained against a wall, rather than kept permanently in a small container. ^{[2] [3]}

Water well after planting and keep the tree watered during dry spells while it establishes.

Protect the blossom from frost. RHS lists peach as H4, hardy through most of the UK at around -10°C to -5°C, but the blossom is much more vulnerable than the dormant tree. If frost is forecast during flowering, cover the tree overnight with fleece, hessian or similar material, then uncover it during the day so light and pollinating insects can reach the flowers. ^{[3] [5]}

Peach Leaf Curl and Peach Gorgeous

Peach leaf curl is the other major issue to plan for. It causes distorted leaves, early leaf fall and weaker growth. RHS says a rain shelter over a wall-trained peach from after leaf fall in November until mid-May is very effective because it keeps the emerging shoots dry. ^{[1] [4]}

There are no fungicides available to amateur gardeners for peach leaf curl, so prevention matters. A clear cover or lean-to shelter is normally more useful than trying to deal with the disease after it appears. Keep the ends open so pollinating insects can still enter. ^[4]

Pruning Gorgeous Peach Trees

Prune peaches in spring or summer, not winter. RHS says peaches fruit mainly on shoots made the previous year, so pruning is about keeping a supply of young fruiting wood. Established fan-trained trees are pruned in spring and again after fruiting; free-standing peach trees are pruned in summer after fruiting. ^[3]

Always remove dead, diseased or crossing branches.

Other Interesting Information About Peach Gorgeous

Peach Gorgeous was discovered in Kent, UK.

The song "You're Gorgeous" by English band Babybird is very unlikely to be singing about this peach tree.

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