Prunus persica Platicarpa bianca - Flat Peach tree

The Peach Tree Platicarpa bianca is a variety of Prunus persica with flat peaches, moderately vigorous and very productive. The spreading bushy tree produces flat peaches of pale yellow colour with pink hues when ripe, with thin and fuzzy skin. The large fruits offer white, tender, very sweet, soft and juicy flesh, with a highly aromatic and fragrant flavour. This fairly hardy variety can be grown in most regions, although the south remains its preferred area. However, its semi-late flowering makes it less susceptible to late spring frosts than others.

The Prunus genus, which includes fruit trees and ornamental plants, trees and bushes, is part of the extensive Rosaceae family. It is home to the majority of other fruit trees (Apple, Cherry, Apricot...), wild plants from the countryside and forests, and numerous ornamental plants (Kerria, Photinia, Amelanchier, Roses...). The name of the Prunus persica species comes from the Greeks who, during Alexander's expedition (4th century BC), discovered it in Persia and named it Persian apple, malum persicum. At that time, they were unaware that this small tree, although long cultivated in Persia, was actually native to Northern China and Mongolia.
Platicarpa bianca forms a small tree with a spreading habit, reaching 3 to 4 m in height, with a spread of 3.5 to 4 m. Its growth is moderately vigorous, with the plant budding relatively early in the season. However, flowering is semi-late, occurring towards the end of March and April, which exposes the flowers less to the risks of spring frost. The variety is self-fertile, eliminating the need to plant another tree for pollination. It also demonstrates significant floribundity, giving it a some ornamental interest when the small light pink flowers bloom. The fruit size is generally 120 to 160 grams, with a diameter of 6 to 8 cm. Ripening from mid-July in southern regions, and in August further north, the peaches are flat with a thick skin that turns from yellow to pink when ripe. The medium-sized stone is free, making fruit consumption easier. The white flesh is tender, with a fine and juicy texture. Fragrant and sweet, it is sweeter than round fruits. Peaches can be enjoyed raw, cooked, sweet, savoury, flambéed, frozen, or poached. They pair well with wine and certain meats, such as duck. They are found in numerous recipes, including jams, compotes, and pastries.

The very generous production of the Peach Tree Platicarpa bianca typically starts 2 to 3 years after planting. It is moderately resistant to common diseases, but it is a good idea to look out for peach leaf curl and apply preventive treatments if necessary.

Highly productive and easy to grow, the Platicarpa bianca peach tree can be the starting point of a small orchard where you can combine it with other unique fruit trees, such as the Stark Gold Sweet Cherry Tree. This self-fertile tree produces golden cherries that bring a surprising ornamental touch. To maintain both an ornamental and edible theme, the Korea Persimmon Tree stands out as an obvious choice. Not only does this Persimmon offer delicious late-season fruits from October, but they are particularly decorative and visible when the tree has shed its leaves. And before they fall, the leaves provide a spectacular display of flamboyant colours.