{"title":"Early-Blooming Peach Trees","description":"\u003cp\u003ePeaches and nectarines that bloom early in the peach season.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant them where spring frost isn't common, or look at the late bloomers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRelated: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/late-blooming-peach-trees\"\u003eLate-Blooming Peaches\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/peach-pollination-map\"\u003ePeach Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e · \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/peach-trees\"\u003ePeach Trees\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"hardired","title":"Hardired Nectarine (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardired Nectarine is a nectarine tree rated hardy to zone 4b in our ratings (winters to -25°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 2 of 7, early for a peach or nectarine), and it ripens about Aug 22 to Sep 4 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 4b to 8. The b means the warmer half of zone 4 only (winters to -25°F). Our notes have it taking -45°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 850 hours (750 to 950). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#hardired\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 2 of 7 (early), early spring here. Self-fertile, so a single tree will set fruit. No pollenizer needed. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mericrest-nectarine\"\u003eMericrest Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fantasia-nectarine\"\u003eFantasia Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flavortop-nectarine\"\u003eFlavortop Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arctic-glo-nectarine\"\u003eArctic Glo Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/nectarine-pollination-map\"\u003eNectarine Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 22 to Sep 4 in Missoula (estimated for Missoula from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. Suckers, so mow or pull suckers. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), drying (6\/10). Scores are our own 1 to 10 ratings; 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eAlthough Doug’s Big Red Juicy is the only one of our nectarines we’d put in true zone 4, Hardired is certainly hardier than the average nectarine. From its showy pink flowers in the spring to its sweet and tangy, creamy red fruits, you’ll think, \u003cem\u003e“I can’t believe we can grow these in Missoula!”\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eFlavor \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eGreat for fresh eating—we also top it on ice cream during our hot Montana summers because the tangy, sweet skin adds a wonderful bite. Great for nectarine cobbler, too! Self-fertile. Hardy to probably only about -27°F to -30°F.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eSpring 2027 Stock Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003eThese nectarine trees are offered for Spring 2027 in 3-4 ft. and 4-6 ft. (pruned to 5 ft. for shipping) grades and are grafted onto semi-dwarf native plum rootstock. Native Plum is hardy down to -45F, and possibly even -50F., making this perhaps the hardiest rootstock for nectarine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"\" style=\"white-space: pre-wrap;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eImage courtesy of Sotaque under CC 2.0.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Hardired Nectarine\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Hardired Nectarine need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Hardired Nectarine is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Self-fertile, so a single tree will set fruit. No pollenizer needed. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/mericrest-nectarine\"\u003eMericrest Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fantasia-nectarine\"\u003eFantasia Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flavortop-nectarine\"\u003eFlavortop Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Hardired Nectarine?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe rate Hardired Nectarine hardy to zone 4b, which means winters down to about -25°F. Our notes have it taking -45°F. Our ratings come from real winters at our two Montana sites and from trusted growers across the North, not from a catalog average.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Hardired Nectarine need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 850 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 750 and 950. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. That's easily met in Montana. It blooms early, so a site that warms up late in spring helps protect the flowers. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#hardired\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Hardired Nectarine ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 22 to Sep 4 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Hardired Nectarine get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Hardired Nectarine onto Native Plum (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Hardired Nectarine good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Hardired Nectarine are fresh eating (7\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Hardired Nectarine?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Hardired Nectarine now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":42499214639170,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45132081856578,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/hardired-nectarine-harvest.webp?v=1789020104"},{"product_id":"fantasia-nectarine","title":"Fantasia Nectarine (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fantasia Nectarine is a nectarine tree we've estimated at zone 5 (winters to -20°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for a peach or nectarine), and it ripens about Sep 23 to Sep 27 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 5 to 9. A bare number means the whole of zone 5, colder half included (winters to -20°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 500 hours (500 to 750). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#fantasia-nectarine\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), early spring here. Self-fertile, so a single tree will set fruit. No pollenizer needed. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flavortop-nectarine\"\u003eFlavortop Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arctic-glo-nectarine\"\u003eArctic Glo Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blushingstar-peach\"\u003eBlushingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/contender-peach\"\u003eContender Peach\u003c\/a\u003e and 7 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/nectarine-pollination-map\"\u003eNectarine Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Sep 23 to Sep 27 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLovell: full size, about 12 to 20 ft tall unpruned. Doesn't like wet feet or high-lime soil. Krymsk 86: full size. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), drying (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026amp; More Branching or 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"14\"\u003eNote: This is our first year growing Fantasia, so most of this information is secondhand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"14\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"15\" data-end=\"299\"\u003eFantasia Nectarine is a classic freestone nectarine known for its large size, bright red skin, and excellent dessert quality. Developed in California in the mid-20th century, it became popular for its rich flavor, attractive appearance, and reliable productivity in warm, sunny sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"301\" data-end=\"327\"\u003eFruit Quality \u0026amp; Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"328\" data-end=\"549\"\u003eFantasia produces large, yellow-fleshed nectarines with firm, juicy flesh and a balanced sweet-tart flavor. The fruit is freestone when fully ripe and well suited for fresh eating, slicing, desserts, and light processing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-start=\"551\" data-end=\"581\"\u003eGrowth Habit \u0026amp; Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-start=\"582\" data-end=\"926\"\u003eTrees are vigorous with an upright to spreading habit and benefit from regular pruning and thinning. Fantasia is likely as hardy as the other nectarines we have grown, and could possibly survive -25F midwinter as its absolute minimum winter temp tolerance. So it should only be planted in a solid zone 5 (still with good protection) or better yet zone 6. Like most nectarines, flower buds are sensitive to spring frosts, so site selection is important in marginal climates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Fantasia Nectarine\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Fantasia Nectarine need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Fantasia Nectarine is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flavortop-nectarine\"\u003eFlavortop Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arctic-glo-nectarine\"\u003eArctic Glo Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blushingstar-peach\"\u003eBlushingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Fantasia Nectarine?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Fantasia Nectarine at zone 5, which means winters down to about -20°F. That's our estimate from how other nectarines have done for us, not from our own Fantasia trees yet. Plant it in a solid zone 5 with good protection, or better yet zone 6.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Fantasia Nectarine need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 500 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 500 and 750. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. Low chill for Montana, about 500 hours. It's quick to wake in late-winter warm spells, so skip spots with reflected heat off walls. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#fantasia-nectarine\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Fantasia Nectarine ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Sep 23 to Sep 27 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Fantasia Nectarine get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Fantasia Nectarine onto Lovell (full size), which makes a tree roughly 12 to 20 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on Krymsk 86.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Fantasia Nectarine good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Fantasia Nectarine are fresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Fantasia Nectarine?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Fantasia Nectarine now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Lovell Full Size: 5-7 ft. Larger \u0026 More Branching","offer_id":42539400691778,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Krymsk 86 Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45181662822466,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Krymsk 86 Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Larger \u0026 More Branching) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45181662855234,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/fantasia-nectarine-on-tree.jpg?v=1789020066"},{"product_id":"mericrest-nectarine","title":"Mericrest Nectarine (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mericrest Nectarine is a nectarine tree rated hardy to zone 5 from published sources (winters to -20°F), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 2 of 7, early for a peach or nectarine), and it ripens about Aug 17 to Aug 29 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 5 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 5, colder half included (winters to -20°F). UNH Extension says the tree may be hardy to -25°F. Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 850 hours (600 to 950). Published figures disagree, so treat this as a middle estimate. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#mericrest-nectarine\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 2 of 7 (early), early spring here. Self-fertile, so a single tree will set fruit. No pollenizer needed. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hardired\"\u003eHardired Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fantasia-nectarine\"\u003eFantasia Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flavortop-nectarine\"\u003eFlavortop Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arctic-glo-nectarine\"\u003eArctic Glo Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/nectarine-pollination-map\"\u003eNectarine Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 17 to Aug 29 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNative Plum: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. Suckers, so mow or pull suckers. Prairie Red: semi-dwarf, about 10 to 15 ft tall unpruned. A seed-grown American plum hybrid from the USDA plant materials center in Bismarck; it suckers. Plant 12 to 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 3-4 ft or 4-6 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Mericrest, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMericrest is a cold-country nectarine from New Hampshire. It's red-skinned with yellow, freestone flesh and a sweet, tangy flavor, and it's one of the hardier nectarines around.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt was bred by Elwyn Meader at the University of New Hampshire. The Victory Horticultural Library dates it to 1971. UNH Extension still lists it as their hardy nectarine choice for New Hampshire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium sized, red over yellow, with yellow freestone flesh. Dave Wilson Nursery calls the flavor \"rich tangy,\" and Whiffletree in Ontario says \"rich and sweet, yet tangy.\" In Cornell's trials at Geneva, New York in the 1980s it was noted as \"one of the best in its season,\" with flesh that doesn't brown. It ripens mid to late August in the Northeast and the Intermountain West.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on two semi-dwarf plum rootstocks. Native plum tends to make a semi-dwarf tree in our dry, alkaline soils, but since it's grown from seed the size varies a bit. The rootstock itself is hardy to -45F, possibly -50F, which makes it about the hardiest rootstock you can put under a nectarine (the nectarine on top is much less hardy than that). Prairie Red is more uniform and tends to top out around 15 feet. Plan on 12 to 15 feet between trees on either. Several sources report good disease resistance for a nectarine, particularly to brown rot and bacterial leaf spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMericrest is self-fertile, so one tree will set fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUNH Extension says \"Reliance and Mericrest may be hardy to -25°F,\" compared with -10 to -15F for most peaches and nectarines. Keep in mind that's about the tree. Cornell's freezing tests rated Mericrest's blossom buds only medium, about like Elberta and less hardy than Redhaven, so a hard winter can still cost you the crop. We've listed it at zone 5, which is on the safe side for the tree.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Davis, California, accession \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1712843\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePI 673745\u003c\/a\u003e. Public domain (U.S. government work).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Mericrest itself. Photos of Mericrest are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Nectarines” by Michelle Kassorla (profshelly1), via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/104876536@N05\/14427041779\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e. Other photo: “Mericrest, PI 673745, bloom (GRIN image FR7T44, 2016-02-26)” by USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Davis, California, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1712843\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Mericrest Nectarine\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Mericrest Nectarine need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Mericrest Nectarine is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/hardired\"\u003eHardired Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fantasia-nectarine\"\u003eFantasia Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/flavortop-nectarine\"\u003eFlavortop Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Mericrest Nectarine?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Mericrest Nectarine at zone 5, which means winters down to about -20°F. UNH Extension says the tree may be hardy to -25°F, but its blossom buds are less hardy than that, so zone 5 is on the safe side. We haven't wintered our own trees yet, so we'll update it once we have.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Mericrest Nectarine need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 850 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 600 and 950. Published figures for it disagree, so treat that as a middle estimate. Roughly 800 to 950 chill hours depending on the source. Montana winters cover that easily; winter cold, not chill, is the limit for nectarines here. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#mericrest-nectarine\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Mericrest Nectarine ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 17 to Aug 29 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Mericrest Nectarine get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Mericrest Nectarine onto Native Plum (semi-dwarf), which makes a tree roughly 10 to 15 ft tall if you never prune it. Some sizes are on \u003ca href=\"\/products\/prairie-red-plum-bundle-of-2\"\u003ePrairie Red\u003c\/a\u003e. Plant 12 to 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Mericrest Nectarine good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Mericrest Nectarine are fresh eating (8\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), jams and jellies (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Mericrest Nectarine?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Mericrest Nectarine now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45178335297602,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 3-4 ft.","offer_id":45178335330370,"sku":null,"price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Native Plum Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45178335363138,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Prairie Red Semi-Dwarf: 4-6 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45178335395906,"sku":null,"price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/nectarine-on-branch.jpg?v=1791617260"},{"product_id":"flavortop-nectarine","title":"Flavortop Nectarine (Spring 2027)","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"mft-facts\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flavortop Nectarine is a nectarine tree provisionally listed at zone 5 (winters to -20°F, and that's the absolute edge), self-fertile, so one tree can crop (bloom group 3 of 7, early-mid for a peach or nectarine), and it ripens about Aug 25 to Sep 6 in Missoula (our Missoula estimate).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable class=\"mft-facts-table\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eHardy to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eZone 5 to 8. A bare number means the whole of zone 5, colder half included (winters to -20°F). Find your zone with our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/cold-hardiness-calculator\"\u003ecold hardiness calculator\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr class=\"mft-chill\"\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eChill hours\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout 800 hours (750 to 850). Well documented. Independent sources agree. Montana winters give it plenty. In milder climates, make sure your winters average at least this much. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003eCheck your chill hours\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#flavortop-nectarine\"\u003esee our sources\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePollination\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-Fertile. Bloom group 3 of 7 (early-mid), early spring here. Self-fertile, so a single tree will set fruit. No pollenizer needed. Nearby varieties that can boost the crop: \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fantasia-nectarine\"\u003eFantasia Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arctic-glo-nectarine\"\u003eArctic Glo Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blushingstar-peach\"\u003eBlushingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/contender-peach\"\u003eContender Peach\u003c\/a\u003e and 7 more. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/nectarine-pollination-map\"\u003eNectarine Pollination Map\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRipens\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAbout Aug 25 to Sep 6 in Missoula (a Missoula estimate from published sources). Real years swing about a week either way. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/ripening-map\"\u003eSee the date for your town\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRootstock and size\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKrymsk 86: full size. Plant about 15 ft apart. \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/rootstocks\"\u003eOur rootstock guide\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eGood for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10), canning and freezing (6\/10), drying (6\/10). Scores are our 1 to 10 ratings, but we're still new to this one, so they lean on published descriptions and other growers rather than our own harvests. 8 and up makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eDeer\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSometimes damaged by deer.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBare root, 5-7 ft. Shipped or picked up in Missoula in spring, roots wrapped in moist sawdust. Guaranteed to bud out.\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is our first year growing Flavortop, so everything below is secondhand until we get more long-term data from our own mother trees.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOverview\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlavortop is a big, firm, yellow freestone nectarine that's here for flavor, not toughness. It's one to grow in your warmest spot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigin and History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to NC State Extension, Flavortop was developed by the USDA in Fresno, California and introduced in 1969.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFruit and Uses\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRutgers describes it as medium to large, 90 to 100% crimson red over a greenish-yellow background, yellow-fleshed and freestone, \"firm with a very good acidic flavor.\" The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture calls it \"large, ovate and freestone with excellent quality.\" It ripens in early August in New Jersey, about ten days after Redhaven, and in early September at Geneva, New York. Cornell also noted that the flesh doesn't brown. It's a fresh-eating nectarine first.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowth Habit and Spacing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs are on Krymsk 86, which makes a tree around 15 feet here. Plan on about 15 feet between trees, 12 if you prune hard or 18 with less pruning. Ontario says the trees \"are vigorous but produce light crops,\" and Rutgers rates it moderately productive. The main disease issue is bacterial spot, which Rutgers says it's highly susceptible to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePollination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlavortop is self-fertile, so one tree will set fruit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCold Hardiness\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis isn't a hardy nectarine. The Ontario Ministry of Agriculture says the trees \"are tender to winter cold,\" NC State rates it zone 6, and Cornell's freezing tests put its blossom buds a bit below Elberta. We have it listed at zone 5, and that's the absolute edge. Plant it in a warm, protected spot and expect to lose crops in hard winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003ePhoto credit: USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Davis, California, accession \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1903442\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003ePI 673781\u003c\/a\u003e. Public domain (U.S. government work).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"font-size:12px;color:#777;margin-top:24px\"\u003eAbout the photo: this isn’t Flavortop itself. Photos of Flavortop are either under copyright or simply unavailable, so we picked the open-source image that looks closest to the fruit. Photo: “Nectarines” by Michelle Kassorla (profshelly1), via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/104876536@N05\/14427234127\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eFlickr\u003c\/a\u003e, licensed \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-sa\/2.0\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eCC BY-SA 2.0\u003c\/a\u003e. Other photo: “Flavortop, PI 673781, bloom (GRIN image FR7T49, 2016-02-26)” by USDA-ARS National Plant Germplasm System, National Clonal Germplasm Repository, Davis, California, via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/npgsweb.ars-grin.gov\/gringlobal\/accessiondetail?id=1903442\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"\u003eUSDA GRIN\u003c\/a\u003e, public domain.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"mft-faq\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuestions we get about Flavortop Nectarine\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDoes Flavortop Nectarine need a pollenizer?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Flavortop Nectarine is self-fertile, so a single tree can set fruit. Partners we carry include \u003ca href=\"\/products\/fantasia-nectarine\"\u003eFantasia Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/arctic-glo-nectarine\"\u003eArctic Glo Nectarine\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/products\/blushingstar-peach\"\u003eBlushingstar Peach\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow cold hardy is Flavortop Nectarine?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe list Flavortop Nectarine at zone 5, which means winters down to about -20°F, and that's the absolute edge. NC State rates it zone 6 and Ontario calls it tender to winter cold. We haven't wintered our own trees yet, so plant it in a warm, protected spot and expect to lose crops in hard winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow many chill hours does Flavortop Nectarine need?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout 800 hours of winter chill (we count hours at or below 45°F), likely somewhere between 750 and 850. That figure is well documented: independent sources agree. That's moderate chill, easily met here. Winter cold, not chill, is what limits this nectarine in Montana. Our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours\"\u003echill hours guide\u003c\/a\u003e has a calculator for your winters, and our \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/chill-hours-research#flavortop-nectarine\"\u003eresearch page\u003c\/a\u003e lists the sources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhen does Flavortop Nectarine ripen?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Aug 25 to Sep 6 in Missoula, Montana (an estimate built from published sources and our climate). Warmer places run earlier and cooler places later; our ripening map converts the date to your town.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHow big does Flavortop Nectarine get?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe graft Flavortop Nectarine onto Krymsk 86 (full size). Plant about 15 ft apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhat is Flavortop Nectarine good for?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur top use scores for Flavortop Nectarine are fresh eating (8\/10), pies and baking (7\/10), cooking and roasting (7\/10), salads and slicing (6\/10). Since we're still new to it, those scores lean on published descriptions rather than our own harvests. Anything scored 8 or higher makes our Best Of lists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWill deer eat Flavortop Nectarine?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSometimes. Deer browse Flavortop Nectarine now and then, so protect young plants where deer pressure is high.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Montana Fruit Trees","offers":[{"title":"Krymsk 86 Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping)","offer_id":45181661184066,"sku":null,"price":64.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Krymsk 86 Full Size: 5-7 ft. (Larger \u0026 More Branching) Pruned to 5 ft. for Shipping","offer_id":45181662625858,"sku":null,"price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/files\/crimson-nectarines-on-tree.jpg?v=1791617882"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0626\/5687\/2514\/collections\/hardired-nectarine-harvest.webp?v=1792786977","url":"https:\/\/www.montanafruittrees.com\/collections\/early-blooming-peach-trees.oembed","provider":"Montana Fruit Trees","version":"1.0","type":"link"}