'Encore' is a hybrid peach in the rose family (Rosaceae) developed by Rutgers University. The tree grows 10 to 15 feet tall and wide and requires 800 to 900 chill hours. It does best in full sun in moist, well-drained soil. The tree blooms later in spring, avoiding spring frost problems. It has moderate resistance to leaf spot, leaf scorch and powdery mildew. This North Carolina Production Guide for Smaller Orchard Plantings from NC Extension has detailed information on planting, pruning and harvesting. Here is a guide to pest and disease management from NC State on fruit trees. The pink fragrant spring flowers of 'Encore' are followed by large, firm and sweet peaches that mature in fall, helping to extend the season. Enjoy them fresh or canned and frozen. Peaches are grown commercially and in the home edible garden. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Potential disease problems include peach leaf curl, brown rot, bacterial leaf spot and canker. Potential insect problems include peach tree borer, plum curculio, oriental fruit moth, root nematodes, mites and aphids. Very cold winter temperatures and late spring frosts often cause significant damage to the buds/flowers of nectarines. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common diseases. The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home & Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common pests. VIDEO Created by Laura Barth for "Vegetables, Herbs, Fruits, and Nuts," a plant identification course developed in partnership with Longwood Gardens. More information on Prunus persica .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nichePrunus persica 'Fantasia'Prunus persica 'Flavortop'Prunus persica 'Summer Beaut'
Full plant profile
Growing Conditions
Plant type
Edible; Tree
Life cycle
Woody
USDA zones
5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12-24 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in. | Width: 12 ft. 0 in. - 15 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
High
Canopy layer
2 - Understory (15-40 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Texture
Coarse
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Elliptical; Lanceolate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are 2-6 by 1/2-1.5 inch, alternate, simple with a long-pointed tip, toothed margin and 2 small glands at the base of the blade. Under surface may have a few hairs while the upper surface is smooth. The leaves tend to curl inward along the central vein
Flower color
Pink
Flower value
Fragrant; Showy
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Pink flowers in spring occur solitary or occasionally paired with 5 petals and appear before leaf-out. 1-1.5 inches across and pleasantly fragrant.
Bloom time
Spring
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
> 3 inches long, > 3 inches wide
Fruit detail
The peach has a red blush over yellow skin and sweet yellow flesh.
Bark color
Dark Gray
Bark detail
The bark is gray with horizontal lenticels and becomes rough and scaly with age.
Stem color
Gray/Silver; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Young stems are reddish and older stems are gray. New growth at the tips is green and smooth
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Wildlife value
Pollinators are attracted to the flowers. Mammals will eat the fruits.