Characteristics of NC Peach Varieties
Below is an identification table of peaches you will find locally, to help you find that especially perfect peach!
| Variety | Freestone (FS) or Clingstone (CS) |
Maturity Season | Comments |
| Biscoe | FS | Mid to late | N.C. variety; large, high-quality fruit; recommended for canning. |
| Belle of Georgia | FS | Mid to late | White variety; freezes well; popular for local markets. |
| Candor | CS | Early | N.C. variety; medium-size fruit. |
| Carolina Belle | FS | Mid | N.C. white-fleshed variety, large fruit. |
| Clayton | Semi-CS | Mid | N.C. variety; small-size fruit, excellent flavor. |
| Contender | FS | Mid | N.C. variety; large fruit size; very cold tolerant. |
| Derby | CS | Early | N.C. variety; medium to large fruit. |
| Dixired | CS | Early to mid | Late-blooming variety. |
| Elberta | FS | Mid to late | Favorite yellow variety, especially for local market. |
| Ellerbe | FS | Mid | N.C. variety; medium to large fruit; good for canning and freezing. |
| Emery | FS | Late | N.C. variety; medium to large fruit. |
| Encore | FS | Late | Hardy, late-blooming variety. |
| Legend | FS | Late | N.C. variety; large fruit size. |
| Monroe | FS | Late | Susceptible to bacterial spot. |
| Nectar | FS | Mid | White peach variety; late blooming. |
| Norman | FS | Mid | N.C. variety; medium to large fruit; good for canning and freezing. |
| Parade | FS | Late | Very-late-maturing California variety. |
| Pekin | Semi-CS | Mid | N.C. variety; medium-size fruit. |
| Raritan Rose | FS | Mid | White variety; softens rapidly. |
| Redhaven | Semi-CS | Mid | Industry standard; recommended for freezing. |
| Reliance | Semi-CS | Mid | Late-blooming variety; poor quality, soft flesh. |
| Summer Pearl | FS | Mid to late | White variety; very susceptible to bacterial spot; high quality. |
| Surecrop | Semi-CS | Mid | Late-blooming variety. |
| Topaz | FS | Mid | Recommended for canning and freezing; flower buds are cold sensitive. |
| Winblo | FS | Mid | N.C. variety; medium to large fruit; good for canning and freezing. |
Source: North Carolina Department of Agriculture
