Salad Turnip
White Lady is a stunning newer peach variety that combines exceptional beauty with full flavor in a tree widely adapted across growing zones 5 through 9. The large fruits display an unusual and striking appearance: 75 to 85 percent light red blush layered over a white background, with pale white flesh underneath. These mid-late bloomers are covered in durable, dainty pink blossoms that tolerate the unpredictable temperature swings of spring weather, making them reliable producers even in variable climates. At maturity, trees reach about 18 feet tall and require moderate chill hours of 800 to 950 depending on your location, so they adapt well to many regions without needing extreme cold.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
216in H x ?in W
Annual, Biennial
High
Hover over chart points for details
The striking color contrast of White Lady peaches sets them apart immediately: that unusual blend of light red blush over creamy white skin is eye-catching in any harvest basket or on the branch. The trees themselves are mid-late bloomers with delicate pink flowers that genuinely stand up to spring weather swings rather than succumbing to late frosts like earlier bloomers often do. Inside the beautiful exterior sits pale white flesh with full flavor, making this more than just a pretty face. The moderate chill requirement of 800 to 950 hours means these trees adapt to a wide range of climates without needing the deep-winter conditions some peach varieties demand.
White Lady peaches are grown as fresh fruit, where their large size and pale white flesh with full flavor make them appealing both for eating fresh and for processing into jams, preserves, and desserts where the white flesh provides an elegant appearance. The striking visual contrast of the skin makes these peaches particularly appealing in farmers' markets and home gardens where ornamental value matters as much as flavor.
Plant bare-root peach trees in early spring while still dormant, or container-grown trees in spring or early fall. Space trees 15 to 20 feet apart to allow room for mature canopy development. Dig a hole wide enough for the roots to spread naturally, position the graft union (if present) about 2 inches above soil level, and backfill with native soil mixed with compost. Water thoroughly after planting and maintain consistent moisture through the first growing season.
White Lady peaches mature in mid to late summer depending on your region's growing season length. Harvest when the fruits are fully colored with that distinctive light red blush over white background, and the flesh yields slightly to gentle pressure but isn't mushy. Ripe peaches will have a sweet fragrance and detach easily from the branch with a slight twist; don't pull hard or you risk damaging the spur. Harvest in the morning when temperatures are cooler to preserve flavor and texture.
Prune White Lady peach trees in late winter during dormancy to maintain an open-center vase shape that maximizes light penetration and air circulation. Remove any crossing branches, dead wood, or branches growing inward toward the center. Since these are mid-late bloomers, pruning after bloom has finished but before the tree leafs out fully will reduce the risk of cold damage to new growth. Thin developing fruits in early summer to 6 inches apart, removing the smallest fruits to encourage larger peaches.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“White Lady emerged as a newer peach cultivar developed with attention to both ornamental appeal and reliable fruiting across diverse growing regions. The variety represents modern breeding work that prioritizes mid-late bloom timing as a practical advantage, since earlier bloomers frequently lose their flowers to unexpected spring freezes. Patent number 5821 marks this as a deliberately cultivated variety rather than a chance discovery, reflecting intentional selection for vigor, flower durability, and the distinctive skin color that makes these peaches so visually striking. The emphasis on widely-adapted tree genetics suggests breeders worked to create a peach that would thrive across multiple hardiness zones rather than being locked to a single climate region.”