HW 272 is a cold-hardy peach from Canada's Harrow Station that thrives in zones 5 through 9, reaching 12 to 16 feet tall at maturity. Its pale yellow skin blushed with vivid scarlet makes it as beautiful on the tree as it is on your plate, and the freestone yellow flesh delivers genuine flavor that fruit researchers at Washington State University's Mt. Vernon station have consistently praised. Selected and tested in Western Washington's maritime climate, this variety combines heavy yields with reliable production even in challenging seasons.
Full Sun
Moderate
5-9
192in H x ?in W
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High
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Bred at Ontario's Harrow Station in Canada's frigid growing region, HW 272 was developed specifically for cold climates and wet maritime conditions where most peaches fail. The fruit presents strikingly with pale yellow skin overlaid in scarlet blush, while the freestone yellow flesh inside tastes noticeably sweeter and more complex than typical commercial varieties. Its resistance to peach leaf curl, combined with consistent heavy bearing and proven performance in Western Washington, makes it genuinely reliable for northern gardeners who've given up on peaches.
HW 272 produces freestone peaches ideal for fresh eating straight from the tree, where its notably flavorful yellow flesh shines without added sugar. The freestone characteristic makes it convenient for eating fresh or slicing into salads. Its heavy bearing habit means you'll have abundant fruit for preserving, canning, or sharing.
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Bare-root or container trees should be planted in early spring while dormant, before new growth emerges. Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball and plant at the same depth the tree was growing in the nursery, setting the graft union slightly above ground level. Space trees 15 to 20 feet apart to allow room for mature canopy spread.
Harvest HW 272 peaches when the background color shifts from green to pale yellow and the fruit yields slightly to gentle pressure at the shoulder. The freestone nature means the pit separates cleanly from the flesh when ripe, so test for easy separation as a harvest indicator. Pick in the morning after dew dries for best flavor and shelf life.
Prune HW 272 in late winter while dormant to establish an open vase or modified central leader form that allows sunlight to reach interior branches. This improves fruit color and ripening, particularly important since the variety depends on full sun for its distinctive scarlet blush development. Remove any crossing branches, water sprouts, and dead or diseased wood annually.
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“HW 272 emerged from the Canadian fruit breeding program at Harrow Station in Ontario, where researchers developed cold-hardy, disease-resistant peaches suited to Canada's rigorous climate. The variety's success caught the attention of fruit scientists at Washington State University's Mt. Vernon research station, where it accumulated consistently high marks for productivity and flavor across multiple growing seasons. This recognition prompted Raintree Nursery to secure Canadian permission to offer this numbered selection to American gardeners, making it one of the few peaches deliberately bred for both northern hardiness and maritime humidity.”