The Saturn Peach has a flat shape that seems to ripen more easily in our cold climate. With white flesh, this peach is simply delicious and sweet, juicy, and especially loved by children. Recently popular, Saturn peaches are thought to have originated from China and have been around in England since early Victorian times.

This flat peach tree is self-fertile, the lovely pink flowers of the peach appear very early in the year and can be damaged by frost. Covering the tree with fleece is a good option to protect the blossom and is also a good method for the prevention of peach leaf curl.

Saturn is a vigorous and productive tree; occasional thinning is helpful to get good results. Cold and hardy but plant in sun in a sheltered position for best results. Peaches are often planted against a wall and fan trained but remember that the soil below walls can become very dry so keep an eye on watering especially in a hot dry summer. Avoid overwatering when the fruit is ripening.

Water container-grown trees regularly and give them a high potassium feed every few weeks. Re-pot peaches every couple of years with John Innes No 3.  (A loam-based potting compost.)

Peaches grown in the ground like most fertile well-drained soil, feed with a high potassium fertiliser such as Vitax Q4 although Tomato feed will do. Scatter handfuls on bare soil around trees or more if it’s on grass. The fruit needs to be thinned when very small. Start with removing small misshaped fruit. It might also need some protection from birds or horrid squirrels. Before planting, dig in plenty of compost or manure. Manure and or compost can be used again during blossom time.

Cultivation: Self-fertile, rootstock St Julien A

Soil: Fertile, moist, well-drained

Position: Full sun, sheltered

Foliage: Deciduous

Flowering: Pink flowers in spring

Fruiting: August

Habit: Upright

Hardiness: Cold hardy

Growth: Vigorous

Benefits to Wildlife: Yes

Height & Spread in Maturity: 3.5 – 4 metres x 2.5 metres