Peach, La Feliciana, Bare Root

Peach, La Feliciana (Prunus persica 'La Feliciana')

La Feliciana is a low-chill, freestone peach developed specifically for hot, humid southern climates, where many other peach varieties struggle. Bred at Louisiana State University, this reliable cultivar produces sweet, yellow-fleshed fruit that ripens in mid to late summer, even in the Deep South. With excellent resistance to bacterial spot and adaptability to low-chill conditions, La Feliciana is a top choice for Gulf Coast growers, low-spray orchards, and southern permaculture systems.

Key Characteristics

• Sweet, Yellow-Fleshed Freestone Fruit
  La Feliciana produces medium to large peaches with golden-yellow skin and minimal blush, and firm, juicy, sweet flesh that separates easily from the pit. The flavor is well-balanced great for fresh eating, pies, preserves, or freezing.
• Low-Chill Requirement for Southern Growers
  Requiring only about 400-500 chill hours, La Feliciana thrives where most peaches fail Zones 8-9 and other areas with mild winters. It reliably sets fruit even in warm regions with inconsistent winter cold.
• Disease Resistant and Heat Tolerant
  La Feliciana shows strong resistance to bacterial spot, a major disease in peach orchards, especially in humid climates. It also performs well in heat, humidity, and variable rainfall, making it a dependable tree for low-input and regenerative systems.
• Self-Fertile and Early Blooming
  Like most peaches, La Feliciana is self-fertile, though fruit set may improve when multiple peach varieties are planted nearby. It blooms early in March, offering nectar to native bees and other pollinators.
• Perfect for Permaculture and Home Orchards
  This variety integrates beautifully into fruit tree guilds, edible hedgerows, and backyard orchards, particularly in the South. Its low-chill requirement, disease resistance, and high productivity make it ideal for permaculture and low-spray systems.

Product Details

• Sun Requirements: Full sun
• Soil Requirements: Medium
• Mature Height: 12-15 feet (depending on rootstock and pruning)
• Bloom Time: March
• Bloom Color: Pink
• Fruit Qualities: Medium-large, yellow flesh, juicy, sweet, freestone
• Fruit Uses: Fresh eating, baking, canning, freezing
• Fruit Ripening Month: July-early August
• Required Chill Hours: ~400-500
• Pollination Requirements: Self-fertile
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 8-9

La Feliciana is one of the best peaches for Southern growers heat-tolerant, low-chill, disease-resistant, and reliably delicious. A smart choice for Gulf Coast orchards and permaculture landscapes.