Prunus persica Silver Giant - Nectarine Peach Tree

The Silver Giant Nectarine tree is a rarely cultivated variety of white nectarine that is characterised by its late and regular fruiting from one year to another, with excellent taste. The tree produces large, round fruits, tinged with red on a yellow background when ripe, with firm, flavourful, juicy, sweet, and fragrant white flesh. They are harvested in August-September, depending on the climate. This hardy nectarine tree is self-fertile and does not require the presence of another subject nearby to bear fruit.

The species name "persica" was given to the peach tree, which was thought to originate from Persia. In reality, all cultivated forms of peach trees originate from northern China. The Nectarine, in Latin Prunus persica nucipersica, is a natural mutation of the peach tree that occurred in the 16th century. It is a small deciduous hardy tree that can be grown in all temperate regions, with a preference for milder southern ones: its spring flowering, which is quite early, can be destroyed by late frosts. Similar to a peach, the nectarine also has a smooth and shiny skin, its flesh is yellow or white, but its stone is free, while that of a peach adheres to the flesh.

Like many fruit trees, the Silver Giant Nectarine tree appreciates sunlight, warmth, and shelter from strong winds. It thrives in any deep, balanced, loose, and fertile soil and does not tolerate excessive moisture or excessively heavy and compact soils, especially clayey ones. It is a tree of medium vigour, reaching about 4.50 m (15ft) in height by 3.50 m (11ft) in spread. Its relatively short trunk has numerous branches with more or less vertical growth, giving it a slightly open, spreading habit. The nectarine tree starts bearing fruit at around 7 years of age, and its lifespan does not exceed 15 to 20 years.

Its foliage is bright green and emits a slight almond scent, it is deciduous and falls in autumn. Its leaves are long, measuring 8 to 15cm (3 to 6in) in length and 3 to 4cm (1 to 2in) in width, with a short petiole. Its light pink flowering occurs in March-April, which is quite late for a nectarine tree. This requires placing the tree, if grown in cooler northern areas, in a particularly sunny and wind-protected location. The flowers are hermaphroditic and self-fertile. The tree produces large bicoloured fruits, yellow and bright red, ready to be harvested towards the end of August or early September. Thanks to their ability to remain firm, the harvest can be spread over several weeks. Nectarines picked slightly unripe will continue to ripen in the house. This tree does not require too much maintenance, except for some preventive treatments against peach leaf curl. It tolerates severe pruning, but not every year.

At the table or in the kitchen: nectarines can be enjoyed raw, cooked, sweet, savoury, flambéed, in tarts, glazed, or deglazed. They pair very well with wine and certain meats, such as duck. They can be found in numerous recipes, including jams, compotes, pastries etc.