The Gold Standard for Frost-Prone Climates

The 'Contender' peach is widely considered the ultimate choice for growers who face the threat of late spring frosts. Celebrated for its exceptional flavor and reliable heavy yields, this variety was specifically engineered to thrive where other peaches fail. Late Bloom, Early Harvest: With a high chilling requirement of 1,050 hours, this tree stays dormant longer than most, protecting its blossoms from late-season freezes.

A Proud North Carolina Heritage

While many sources incorrectly attribute this variety to Georgia, the 'Contender' is a true product of North Carolina State University. The variety is the result of decades of research within the NC State breeding program. The original cross—between the 'Winblo' variety and selection 'NC64'—was performed by Professor Franklin Correll and Agricultural Research Technician Steve Worthington. Released in 1988 by Dr. Dennis Werner, the 'Contender' was named for its ability to "contend" with unpredictable spring weather and emerge victorious with a full crop.

USDA Zone: 4-8

Mature Height: Lovell ~10-15' Tall; Dwarf with annual pruning

Sun: Full Sun

Ripening Time: Late August-Early September. Harvested 9.10.2025 in Zip Code 54631

Pollination: Self-Fertile: You only need one tree to grow a massive harvest, though it will perform even better when planted near other peach varieties. Also, thin the tree annually to achieve the best harvest.

Rootstock: Lovell ~12-15' tall though tree rarely grows to over 12'.

Scientific Name: 

• Genus: Prunus (which includes plums, cherries, peaches, and almonds)

• Species: persica (species for peaches)

• Cultivar: 'Contender' (variety developed by NC State)

If you live outside of this shipping zone please note that we cannot ship a tree larger than 6'. If a tree is ordered larger than 6' and your location is outside this zone, the tree must be pruned to 6' regardless of the size tree you purchase. Please be aware of this when making your purchase. BARE ROOT TREES SHIP SPRING 2027.