Description:

An exceptional selection, producing large, freestone nectarines with smooth red skin, and tangy, sweet, pale yellow flesh; winter hardy and early ripening; susceptible to late spring freezes and disease, needs full sun and well-drained soil

Edible Qualities

Independence Nectarine is a small tree that is typically grown for its edible qualities. It produces large red round fruit (technically 'drupes') with hints of yellow and buttery yellow flesh which are usually ready for picking from early to mid summer. Note that the fruits have hard inedible pits inside which must be removed before eating or processing. The fruits have a sweet taste with a firm texture and a pleasant fragrance.

The fruit are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Preserves
• Canning

Features & Attributes

Independence Nectarine is draped in stunning clusters of fragrant pink flowers along the branches in early spring, which emerge from distinctive rose flower buds before the leaves. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The narrow leaves turn yellow in fall. The fruits are showy red drupes with hints of yellow, which are carried in abundance from early to mid summer. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up.

This is a deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This is a high maintenance plant that will require regular care and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Messy
• Insects
• Disease

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Independence Nectarine is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing

Independence Nectarine will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn't require a second plant nearby to set fruit.

This tree is typically grown in a designated area of the yard because of its mature size and spread. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.