Nectarine trees originate in warmer regions. But there are now different varieties that are not only hardy, but some of which prove to be particularly robust.
Are nectarine trees hardy and suitable for colder regions?
Nectarine trees are originally intended for warmer regions, but there are hardy varieties that can withstand colder temperatures and frost. When purchasing, pay attention to the robustness of the respective variety and plant the tree in a protected, sunny location.
The nectarine tree and its sunny origins
The nectarine is a type of fruit whose origins date back to the 17th century. It was cultivated in Persia, China and Greece, with its popularity expanding to America and Europe in recent decades. Today, the main nectarine growing areas are in Spain, France and Greece, as well as outside Europe in South Africa, Chile and warm regions in the United States.
How hardy is the nectarine tree?
Due to its origin, the nectarine tree is used to warmer temperatures. However, there are now varieties that are hardy and survive in cooler regions. This means that a winter-hardy nectarine tree is sufficiently robust to withstand lower temperatures and longer frosts. This also applies to the associated temperature drops, to frost, to the stress caused by wind and the course of frosty ground temperatures.
What else you should know about a nectarine tree
There are other interesting facts about the nectarine tree, namely
- Nectarine trees have a comparatively low life expectancy and reach a maximum age of 30 years.
- Nectarine trees are self-pollinating. This means no pollen donors are required.
- There are different types of nectarine trees, so there are also trees that can be planted in a pot and placed on the balcony.
A protected location for your nectarine tree
Even if a nectarine tree is hardy, it is important to plant it as protected as possible, which applies equally to a nectarine tree planted outdoors or in a planter. A protected location, for example, has a south-facing house wall, whereby the nectarine tree should be at a distance from the house that corresponds to the expected growth height, i.e. at least four to six meters.
Danger to the nectarine tree: late frost
It is happening more and more often that the days are getting warmer in February. Then the nectarine tree sprouts and the first flowers become visible. But the weather does not stay consistently warm and late frost can pose a serious threat. In fact, the flowers are only at risk for a few days, namely the time between the opening of the flower and its fertilization.
Tips & Tricks
When buying a nectarine tree, pay attention to the characteristics of the respective nectarine variety, as there are differences in terms of robustness.
