Nectarine Varieties For New Jersey Commercial and Home Orchardists

Nectarines are identical to peaches except that they lack fuzz. Most management practices for nectarines are similar to those of peaches. However, pest management of nectarines is more difficult than it is with peaches because the fuzz on peaches acts as a protective barrier to many diseases and insects. Nectarines often require several more fungicide and insecticide sprays . Some nectarines varieties have thicker skin to offset some of these pest and environmental problems.

The following varieties are listed by flesh color and in order of ripening. All varieties are self-pollinating and self-fruitful so provisions do not have to be made for planting more than one variety in any single location. Dates of ripening are for southern New Jersey will be 5-8 days later in the central and northern areas of the state.

Read fact sheets on Yellow-Fleshed Peach Varieties for New Jersey, and White-Fleshed Peach Varieties for New Jersey, for additional varietal information.

Yellow Fleshed Varieties

Mayfire - A small, irregular-shaped but generally ovate, 90-100% bright orange-red over yellow-orange ground color, yellow-fleshed, clingstone nectarine ripening from June 28--July 1, or approximately 27 days before Redhaven. The flesh is moderately firm with fair flavor. The tree is vigorous and moderately productive with medium susceptibility to bacterial spot. The fruit will produce split pits.

Westbrook - A medium, ovate 80-90% scarlet red over yellowish red ground-color, yellow-fleshed clingstone ripening from July 1-4, approximately days before Redhaven. The flesh firm, melting, and juicy with very good sweet flavor. The fruit has better than average firmness retention for an early ripening variety. The tree is upright-spreading productive with low susceptibility to bacterial spot. This variety from Arkansas has good early season flavor.

Easternaglo - A medium, ovate, 90-100% scarlet-red over slightly yellowish-red ground color, yellow-fleshed, semi- clingstone nectarine ripening from July 13-16, or approximately 12 days before Redhaven. The flesh is firm with a fair to good acidic flavor. The tree is upright-spreading, moderately productive with medium to high susceptibility to bacterial spot. This beautiful nectarine when left on the tree too long will develop skin disorder similar to inking.

Arrington - A medium, large ovate to globose 50-70% scarlet red ovate and orange-yellow red ground color, yellow-fleshed clingstone July 17-21, approximately 8 days before Redhaven. The flesh is firm to very firm, non-melting, with excellent flavor somewhat sub-acid. The tree is upright spreading, productive , vigorous, with low susceptibility to bacterial spot. This Arkansas variety should be planted for its excellent flavor and good non-melting firmness.

Honeyblaze - A medium large, ovate to slightly globose, 100% bright scarlet to crimson-red, yellow-fleshed, semi-clingstone nectarine ripening July 18-21, or approximately 5 days before Redhaven. The flesh is very firm with a very good, sweet, sub- acid flavor. The tree is spreading, vigorous, and moderately productive. with high susceptibileto bacterial spot.

Honeykist - A small a to medium, ovate, 100% crimson-red, yellow-fleshed clingstone nectarine ripening July 20-23, or approximately 3 days before Redhaven. The flesh is very firm with a very good to excellent low acid flavor. The tree is spreading, vigorous, and productive. with high susceptibility to bacterial spot. It is a challenge to get fruit in 2½-inch-and-up size range from attractive nectarine.

Harblaze - A medium, ovate to globose, 70-90% bright scarlet-red over yellow ground color, yellow-fleshed, semi-freestone nectarine ripening from July 20-23, or approximately 4 days before Redhaven. The flesh is moderately firm with very good flavor. The tree is vigorous and productive with medium susceptibility to bacterial spot. Harblaze is very similar to Harflame, but the fruit is slightly smaller.

Bradley - A medium large ovate to globose, 50-70% scarlet red over yellow to orange tallow ground color, yellow-fleshed clingstone ripening on July 22-25, a few days before Redhaven. The flesh is firm to very firm, with very good to excellent flavor slightly acidic and spicy. The tree is upright spreading, productive, vigorous, withlow susceptibility to bacterial spot. Another Arkansas non-melting clingstone with very good to excellent flavor.

Harflame - A medium to large, ovate to globose, 80-90% bright scarlet-red with yellowish-red ground color; yellow-fleshed, semi-freestone nectarine ripening from July 25-28 with Redhaven. The flesh is moderately firm with an acidic but very good flavor. The tree is spreading, vigorous, and productive with medium susceptibility to bacterial spot. It is recommended for home orchard plantings because of its very good flavor and productivity.

Flamin Fury®PF 11 - A medium large to large, slightly ovate, 80-90% scarlet red over yellow red ground color, yellow-fleshed, semi-freestone nectarine ripening July 25-28, or approximately with Redhaven. The flesh is firm with very good flavor. The tree is vigorous, and productive with medium susceptibility to bacterial spot. It has great size but not as much firmness as other varieties on this list.

Summer Beaut - A medium to medium-large, ovate, 90-100% scarlet-red over red-yellow ground color, yellow-fleshed, semi-freestone, nectarine ripening from July 29-August 1, or approximately 5 days after Redhaven. The flesh is firm with a good acidic flavor. The tree is moderately vigorous and moderately productive and seems to fruit more heavily when planted near another variety. It has medium susceptibility to bacterial spot. Summer Beaut always has a few split pits.

Flavortop - A medium to large, ovate to globose, 90-100% crimson-red over greenish-yellow ground color, yellow-fleshed, freestone, nectarine ripening from August 4-7, or approximately 10 days after Ravenhaven. The flesh is firm with a very good acidic flavor. The tree is moderately vigorous and productive, with high susceptibility to bacterial spot.

Sunglo - A medium-large to large, globose to slightly ovate, 80-90% orange-scarlet-red, over yellow-orange ground color, yellow-fleshed, freestone nectarine ripening from August 6-9, or approximately 12 days after Redhaven. The flesh is firm with a very good to excellent acidic flavor. The tree is moderately vigorous and moderately productive. with high susceptibilityto bacterial spot.

Redgold - A large, globose to slightly ovate, 80-90% scarlet-red over yellow-red ground color, yellow-fleshed, freestone nectarine ripening from August 18-21, or approximately 24 days after Redhaven. The flesh is firm with excellent acidic flavor. The tree is moderately vigorous, productive with high susceptibility to bacterial spot and is prone to perennial canker. Redgold is one of the best-flavored varieties and is great for canning or freezing.

Honey Royal - A large to medium large, ovate to globose, 90-100% crimson red over slight yellow-red ground color, yellow fleshed freestone ripening August 20-25 or approximately 28 days after Redhaven peach. The flesh is very firm, melting, sweet with excellent flavor and quality. It holds its firmness well in storage. The tree is upright spreading, vigorous, productive. with high susceptibility to bacterial spot. An excellent shipping variety with better flavor than Fantasia.

Fantasia - Alargetomedium-large,ovate,70-90%scarlet-red over yellow-greenish-red ground color,yellow-fleshed ,freestone nectarine ripening from August23-26, or approximately 31days after Redhaven.The tree is vigorous and regularly productive with medium to high susceptibility to bacterial spot. The best and most widely planted nectarine variety in the northeastern U.S.

Stark®Ovation - A large to medium-large,ovate,60-90% scarlet-red over a yellow-orange ground color, yellow-fleshed, freestone nectarine ripeningAugust27-31, or approximately 33 days after edhaven. The flesh is firm with a very good acidic flavor. The tree is vigorous and moderately productive with medium susceptibility to bacterial spot. The pronounced ovate shape and suture make it his variety less desirable.

White Fleshed

Arctic Star - A medium-large, ovate, 80-100% bright pinkish-red over cream-red ground color, white-fleshed, clingstone nectarine ripening from July 8-12, or approximately 16 days before Redhaven. The flesh is firm with a sweet and very good sub-acid flavor. The tree is moderately vigorous and moderately productive. with high susceptibility to a bacterial spot. Arctic Star can speckle, crack and blemish under adverse conditions.

Jade - A small to medium, ovate, 90-100% crimson-red over cream-red ground color, white-fleshed, clingstone nectarine ripening July 9-11, or approximately 16 days before Redhaven. The flesh is firm with a good acidic flavor. The tree is very vigorous and moderately productive, with medium susceptibility to bacterial spot. It is a challenge to get Jade to produce fruit greater than 2½ inches.

NJN 100 - A medium, ovate to slightly globose 80-100% bright pinkish-red over a cream-red ground color, white-fleshed, semi-clingstone nectarine ripening July 13-16, or approximately 12 days before Redhaven. The flesh is firm with very good mildly sub- acid flavor. The tree is vigorous and productive with low susceptibility to bacterial spot. NJN100 has better flavor, better productivity and fewer problems with brown rot and bacterial spot than all other early white nectarines.

Arctic Sweet - A medium to medium-large, ovate to globose, 90-100% bright pinkish-red, white fleshed, semi-clingstone nectarine ripening from July 16-19, or approximately 9 days before Redhaven. The flesh is firm, with a good, sweet and sub-acid flavor. The tree is moderately productive and vigorous with medium susceptibility to bacterial spot. Arctic Sweet will produce quite a few split pits.

ArticGlo - A medium, ovate to slightly globose, 90-100% pink-purplish-red, white-fleshed, clingstone nectarine ripening from July 16-19, or approximately 9 days before Redhaven. The flesh is moderately firm with red streaks and a good acidic flavor. The tree is vigorous and moderately productive with medium susceptibility to bacterial spot. The fruit will produce split pits.

Emeraude - A medium-large to large, ovate to slightly globose, 80-90%, pink to purplish-red over cream-red ground color, white-fleshed, freestone nectarine ripening August 3-6, or approximately 9 days after Redhaven. The flesh is firm with an excellent sweet, sub-acid flavor and is large fruited. The tree is very vigorous and moderately productive with low susceptibility to bacterial spot.

This large fruited variety is produced on a tree that has not regularly produced full crops of fruit.

Arctic Jay - A medium-large, globose to slightly ovate, 100% pinkish-red, white-fleshed, freestone nectarine ripening from August 9-12 or approximately 15 days after Redhaven. The flesh is very firm with very good sub-acid flavor. The tree is vigorous, spreading and moderately productive with high susceptibility to bacterial spot. Arctic Jay will get speckles and skin blemishes under adverse weather conditions.

Arctic Gold - A medium-large to large, globose to slightly ovate, 60-80% pinkish-red over cream-red ground color, white-fleshed, freestone nectarine ripening from August 19-22, or approximately 25 days after Redhaven. The flesh is firm to very firm with an excellent sub-acid flavor. The tree is vigorous and moderately productive with high susceptibility to bacterial spot. Arctic Gold will crack under adverse conditions.

Arctic Belle - A medium, globose, 90-100% pinkish-red over a cream-red ground color, white-fleshed, freestone nectarine ripening August 12-15, or approximately 12 days after Redhaven. The flesh is very firm with a very good sub-acid flavor. The tree is vigorous and moderately productive. Fruit has high susceptibility to bacterial spot. Arctic Belle will get spots, speckles and cracks under adverse conditions.

Zephyr - A large, globose to slightly ovate, 70-90% pinkish-red over a cream-green-red ground color; white-fleshed, freestone nectarine ripening August 26-29, or approximately 32 days after Redhaven. The flesh is firm, and the flavor excellent, sweet, and sub-acid. The skin was covered with faint pinkish-red colored speckles and spots over 50% of the surface. The tree is vigorous and spreading with medium susceptibility to bacterial spot.

Topaze - A large, globose to slightly ovate, 50-70% pinkish-red over a cream-green ground color, white-fleshed, freestone nectarine ripening August 31- September 3, or approximately 38 days after Redhaven. It has firm flesh with a mildly sweet, sub acid flavor. The tree is moderately vigorous and productive with high susceptibility to bacterial spot. Topaze will have blemishes, speckling, and spotting on fruit.

Arctic Pride - A medium-large to large, globose, 50-70% pink-purplish-red over a cream-green color, white-fleshed, clingstone nectarine ripening September 4-8, or approximately 42 days after Redhaven. The flesh is firm with excellent sub acid flavor. The tree is moderately vigorous and moderately productive. with high susceptibility bacterial spot. Arctic Gold will have blemishes, speckles and cracks under adverse conditions.

Comparison Chart of Nectarine Varieties with all Peach Varieties

Ripening Datein Southern NJ	Best Peach Cultivars	Best Nectarine Cultivars	Promising Peach Cultivars for Trial	Promising Nectarine Cultivars
June 25 to July 5	Flamin'Fury PF5B Desiree NJ 350 Sunbrite Spring Snow(W) Spring Prince Sugar May (W)	Mayfire	Rich May Queencrest Flamin Fury PF 5BigSugar May(W) CaroredManon (W)	Westbrook
July 6 to July 12	Harrow Dawn Ruby Prince Sentry	ArcticStar (W)	Early Star Scarlet Pearl (W)	Jade (W)
July 13 to July 19	Flamin' Fury PF 7 Glenglo Ruby Prince Sentry Summer Serenade	Easternglo Arctic Sweet (W) Arctic Glo (W) Honeyblaze	Vulcan NJ F 18 (FY) Flamin Fury PF 8Ball Snowbrite (W) Galaxy(FW)	Silver Gem (W) Arrington
July 20 to July 26	Saturn (W) Flavorcrest GaLa Arctic Sweet(W) Flamin Fury PF 11	Flamin' Fury PF11 Harblaze	Country Sweet SnowBrite (W) Vinegold NJF 15 (FY) White Cloud (W) Raritan Rose (W)	Honeykist
July 27 to August 3	Early Loring Flamin' Fury PF15A Redstar Redhaven John Boy White Lady (W) Starfire Flamin Fury PF Lucky13 Starfire	Harflame Summer Beaut	Blazing Star TangOs NJF 16 (FY) Blaze Prince Snow Beautyy (W) Flamin Fury PF 9A-007 Salem	Bradley
August 4 to August 10	Coralstar Bounty July Prince Flamin' Fury PF17 Harrow Beauty Klondike (W) Loring	Arctic Jay (W) Flavortop Sunglo	Harrow Fair Flamin' Fury PF19-007 Scarlet Prince TangOsII NJ F 17 (FW) Flavorburst Carolina Belle (W)	Emeraude (W)
August 11 to August 18	Allstar Contender Flamin' Fury PF23 Flamin' Fury PF24-007 Glowing Star	Redgold	Glowingstar Redkist Flamin Fury PF 22-007 Blushingstar (W) Sweet N Up	Arctic Belle (W) Honey Royale
August 19 to August 26	Cresthaven Flamin' Fury PF Lucky 24B Flamin' Fury PF25 Gloria NJ 351 Messina NJ 352	Fantasia	Early August Prince Sugar Giant (W) Opale (W) Sweet Breeze Benedicte(W)	Arctic Gold(W)
August 27 to September 3	Flamin Fury PF27A Flamin' Fury PF 28-007 Jerseyqueen Fayette Redskin		Summerfest Lady Nancy (W) August Prince	Stark Ovation Zephyr (W)
September 3 to September 10	Laurol Flamin Fury PF 35-007 Fat Lady Flameprince		Autumn Star Snow Giant (W) Yukon King (W)	Arctic Pride (W)
September 10 and Later	Victoria NJ 353		Big Red (CVN #3)

See Table 11.1 in "Tree Fruit Pest and Controls" in the New Jersey Tree Fruit Production Guide (E002) for bacterial spot ratings.

(W) Indicates White-Flesh (WF) Indicates White Fleshed Flat Peach (YF) Indicates Yellow-Fleshed Flat Peach

Main photo (l-r): Emeroude, Arctic Glo, Arctic Belle.

March 2013