Mar 29 2007
Peach blossom
March in England and the peach seems an impossibly distant and exotic fruit, its heady summer aroma almost unimaginable. Out of season peaches always disappoint and the sickly syrupy sweetness of the tinned fruit is altogether different.
But late March in Suffolk and peach trees, most of them tight against a south-facing wall for warmth, are in bloom. After the modest white blossom of the early flowering cherry plum, the lurid pink of the peach is a herald of the nectar sweet summer fruit.
The peach, Prunus persica, has been cultivated in Mediterranean Europe for thousands of years. Once thought to be of Persian origin, it’s now known to be native to China. Even so, it produces superb fruit in favourable conditions even as far north as England.
I am delighted to see your piece about peach trees in England, and wondered whether mine, situated against a south-facing sheltered wall, is flowering earlier this year due to the exceptionally warm period.
It is in full bloom now and I hope it will not be damaged by last week’s frosts or ones in the next week or two.
Perhaps other readers could write a reply if their peach trees are blooming too.
Last year we had 20+ large, juicy, delicious peaches, and hope this year’s crop will be even bigger.