Peach (Prunus persica)

Everyone would love picking peaches off their very own tree, but for many of us here in Canada it remains an elusive dream. The bitter, relentless cold of some recent winters took a terrible toll, but true to their fickle nature, some trees survived in unlikely locations, while others in supposedly ideal settings gave up the ghost. Protection from frigid winds is almost certainly a benefit. The take-home message? Be aware of the risks, but stay cautiously optimistic and keep planting a tree or two.

1.25-2m (4-6ft.) bareroot trees