Peach, Reliance, Bare Root

Peach, Reliance (Prunus persica ‘Reliance’)

Reliance lives up to its name as one of the most cold-hardy peach varieties available, bred specifically for growers in northern climates where winter temperatures regularly dip below zero. Hardy to Zone 4, it withstands extreme cold and still produces a dependable crop of medium-sized, yellow-fleshed, freestone peaches with a sweet, mild flavor. Ripening in late July to early August, the fruit is excellent for fresh eating, canning, baking, and preserving.

Vigorous, productive, and self-fertile, Reliance is a favorite among homesteaders and orchardists in cold regions seeking a resilient, low-maintenance peach tree. Its showy pink blossoms bloom early in spring and are a valuable nectar source for pollinators. Though the flavor is less complex than southern varieties, its reliability, cold tolerance, and versatility make Reliance an essential tree for regenerative systems and edible landscapes in colder climates.

Key Characteristics

• Extremely cold-hardy for northern orchards
  Reliance is one of the few peaches that reliably survives and fruits in USDA Zone 4. Ideal for growers in the Northeast, upper Midwest, or mountainous regions.
• Freestone fruit with sweet, mild flavor
  Produces medium-sized, red-blushed fruit with golden yellow flesh. The freestone nature makes it easy to process for canning, freezing, or baking.
• Self-fertile and consistent producer
  No pollination partner is needed. Reliance fruits reliably even after harsh winters and can be counted on for annual harvests with minimal inputs.
• Valuable addition to permaculture designs
  Compact and manageable, it integrates well into food forests, fruit tree guilds, and small orchard systems. Pair with pollinator plants, nitrogen fixers, and dynamic accumulators for optimal performance.
• Early spring bloom supports pollinators
  Its pink blossoms provide nectar for bees and beneficial insects early in the season, helping support pollination across the orchard.

Product Details

• Sun requirements: Full sun
• Soil requirements: Medium, well-drained
• Bloom time: Early spring
• Bloom color: Pink
• Fruit qualities: Medium-sized, red-blushed skin, yellow flesh, sweet, mild, freestone
• Fruit uses: Fresh eating, baking, canning, preserving
• Fruit ripening month: Late July to early August
• Required chill hours: ~1,000
• Pollination requirements: Self-fertile
• USDA Hardiness zones: 4–8

If you’ve struggled to grow peaches in cold winters, Reliance is the solution. Cold-hardy, self-sufficient, and delicious, it brings peach harvests to northern homesteads with minimal fuss.