Stone Fruits
Stone fruits, including peaches, plums, nectarines, and apricots, are prized for their juicy sweetness and vibrant flavors. These trees add seasonal beauty with fragrant blossoms in spring and colorful fruit in summer. With proper variety selection, stone fruits can thrive in Florida and reward growers with delicious harvests year after year.
Blenheim Apricot
'Blenheim' is a classic apricot variety prized for its rich, tangy-sweet flavor. It ripens early and grows best in areas with mild winters and warm summers.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−15°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile; heavier crops with a second apricot
- Ripening (FL): May–June (reliable only where winter chill is adequate)
- Uses: Fresh eating, drying, jam
Double Delight Apricot
'Double Delight' offers both ornamental beauty and excellent fruit quality. It produces fragrant spring blossoms followed by large, flavorful apricots.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−15°F
- Pollination: Generally self-fertile; best yields with an apricot pollinizer
- Ripening (FL): May–June (needs adequate chill)
- Uses: Fresh eating, baking, preserves
Goldcot Apricot
'Goldcot' is a cold-hardy apricot that produces firm, golden-yellow fruit with a sweet-tart flavor. A reliable performer in Southern climates with sufficient winter chill.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−20°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile
- Ripening (FL): June (where chill requirements are met)
- Uses: Fresh eating, canning, drying
Aprium
Apriums are apricot-plum hybrids with more apricot traits—intensely sweet and aromatic, with firm texture. They ripen early and thrive in sunny, warm climates.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Requires a compatible apricot/aprium for best set
- Ripening (FL): May–June (early)
- Uses: Fresh eating, salads, desserts
Double Delight Nectarine
'Double Delight' produces large, richly flavored fruit with red skin and yellow flesh. It’s also ornamental, with fragrant pink blossoms in spring.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile
- Ripening (FL): May–June
- Uses: Fresh eating, baking, grilling
Sun Raycer Nectarine
'Sun Raycer' is a low-chill nectarine ideal for Florida, producing sweet, medium-sized fruit early in the season. Great for fresh eating.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile
- Ripening (FL): April–May (early)
- Uses: Fresh eating, smoothies
White Nectarine
This variety offers low-acid, aromatic white-fleshed fruit with smooth, red-blushed skin. Excellent for fresh eating when fully ripe.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile (most cultivars)
- Ripening (FL): May–June (varies by cultivar)
- Uses: Fresh eating, salads, desserts
Spice Zee Nectaplum
'Spice Zee' is a self-fertile nectarine-plum hybrid with striking red skin and white flesh. Its sweet-spicy flavor and ornamental foliage make it a backyard favorite.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile
- Ripening (FL): June–July
- Uses: Fresh eating, dessert plates, ornamental foliage interest
Early Alberta Peach
A classic freestone peach with firm, juicy flesh and a sweet flavor. Excellent for fresh eating and canning. Ripens early and grows well in Florida’s mild winters.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−15°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile
- Ripening (FL): May–June (early)
- Uses: Fresh eating, canning, baking
FlordaCrest Peach
'FlordaCrest' is a low-chill peach developed for Florida’s climate. It produces medium, flavorful fruit early in the season and is ideal for backyard orchards.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−15°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile
- Ripening (FL): May (early)
- Uses: Fresh eating, desserts
FlordaKing Peach
One of the earliest ripening peaches available, 'FlordaKing' is ideal for Florida growers. It produces sweet, juicy, yellow-fleshed fruit with a reliable harvest.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−15°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile
- Ripening (FL): April–May (very early)
- Uses: Fresh eating, early-season pies
FlordaPrince Peach
'FlordaPrince' is a fast-growing, early-maturing variety with excellent flavor and very low chill requirements—perfect for Florida's warm winters.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−15°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile
- Ripening (FL): April–May (very early)
- Uses: Fresh eating, smoothies
FlordaQueen Peach
'FlordaQueen' offers juicy, firm yellow fruit and extended shelf life. It’s a great early producer with low chill hour needs and strong disease resistance.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−15°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile
- Ripening (FL): May–June
- Uses: Fresh eating, canning
Gulfking Peach
'Gulfking' produces large, sweet, freestone peaches with great flavor. It thrives in the South and is bred for low-chill environments like Florida.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−15°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile
- Ripening (FL): May–June
- Uses: Fresh eating, desserts
Tropic Beauty Peach
'Tropic Beauty' is an early-ripening, low-chill variety with flavorful yellow flesh and excellent fresh-eating quality. It’s a consistent producer in Florida.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−15°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile
- Ripening (FL): April–May
- Uses: Fresh eating, salads
Tropic Sweet Peach
This juicy, low-acid peach has red-blushed skin and firm, sweet flesh. 'Tropic Sweet' requires minimal chill hours and is excellent for Florida gardens.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−15°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile
- Ripening (FL): May
- Uses: Fresh eating, smoothies
AU Rubrum Plum
'AU Rubrum' is a disease-resistant plum variety developed for Southern climates. It produces red skin and red-fleshed fruit with sweet-tart flavor and reliable yields.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Requires a compatible Japanese plum (e.g., ‘Santa Rosa’, ‘Methley’)
- Ripening (FL): May–June
- Uses: Fresh eating, jelly, sauces
Byron Plum
'Byron' is a low-chill hybrid plum that produces medium-sized, sweet-tasting fruit. A good pollinator for other plum varieties and a consistent bearer in Florida.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Cross-pollinate with another Japanese plum
- Ripening (FL): May–June (early)
- Uses: Fresh eating, canning
Chickasaw Plum
Native to the Southeastern U.S., 'Chickasaw' is a small, shrubby plum with tart red or yellow fruit. Excellent for wildlife, preserves, and erosion control.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−20°F
- Pollination: Plant 2+ for best fruit set; attracts pollinators
- Ripening (FL): May–June
- Uses: Wildlife, preserves, hedgerows
Gold Plum
'Gold Plum' is a golden-yellow variety with a sweet, mild flavor. It’s a rare and visually striking plum perfect for fresh eating and gourmet dishes.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Typically needs a plum pollinizer
- Ripening (FL): June
- Uses: Fresh eating, presentation plates
Methley Plum
'Methley' is an early-bearing, self-fertile Japanese plum that produces juicy, reddish-purple fruit. Adaptable to Florida, it’s great for fresh eating or jelly.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Self-fertile; better crops with a companion
- Ripening (FL): May (early)
- Uses: Fresh eating, jelly, juicing
Santa Rosa Plum
A classic, large-fruited Japanese plum, 'Santa Rosa' offers juicy red flesh and a balanced flavor. It performs well in warm climates with proper chill accumulation.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Partially self-fertile; best with a plum pollinizer
- Ripening (FL): June
- Uses: Fresh eating, pies, jam
Tropic Beauty Plum
'Tropic Beauty' is a low-chill hybrid plum suitable for subtropical climates. It produces sweet fruit with attractive color and a crisp bite.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Cross-pollinate with compatible plum
- Ripening (FL): May–June
- Uses: Fresh eating, salads
Tropic Sweet Plum
'Tropic Sweet' offers delicious, low-acid fruit and thrives in warm regions. It pairs well with other plums for cross-pollination and consistent harvests.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Requires a compatible plum
- Ripening (FL): June
- Uses: Fresh eating, desserts
Interspecific Pluot
Pluots are plum-apricot hybrids known for their intense sweetness and firm texture. They require cross-pollination and thrive in warm regions with mild winters.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Requires a compatible plum (not self-fertile)
- Ripening (FL): June–July
- Uses: Fresh eating, fruit trays, desserts
Flavor Grande Plumcot
'Flavor Grande' is a large, tangy-sweet plumcot with a rich apricot finish. A striking interspecific hybrid suited for Southern growers.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Requires a Japanese plum
- Ripening (FL): June–July
- Uses: Fresh eating, desserts, preserves
Flavor Queen Plumcot
'Flavor Queen' is prized for its juicy, aromatic flesh and vibrant flavor. Requires cross-pollination and warm conditions for best production.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Requires a compatible plum
- Ripening (FL): June–July
- Uses: Fresh eating, fruit salads
Interspecific Plumcot
These unique plum-apricot hybrids combine the best traits of both fruits—firm texture, complex flavor, and high sugar content. Suitable for trial in mild Florida winters.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Requires a compatible plum (not self-fertile)
- Ripening (FL): June–July
- Uses: Fresh eating, desserts
Sprite Delight Pluerry
'Sprite Delight' is a sweet plum-cherry hybrid with crisp texture and a complex, candy-like flavor. Great for fresh eating and gourmet use.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Requires a compatible plum (not a cherry)
- Ripening (FL): June–July
- Uses: Fresh eating, fruit boards, desserts
Sweet Treat Pluerry
'Sweet Treat' is the best-known pluerry cultivar, offering a perfect balance of cherry sweetness and plum tang. Requires cross-pollination for high yields.
- Lowest survival temperature: ~−10°F
- Pollination: Requires a compatible plum (e.g., ‘Santa Rosa’)
- Ripening (FL): June–July
- Uses: Fresh eating, salads, desserts