Top stone fruit picks: nectarines, peaches, apricots

Caleb Roberts from Daleys Fruit Tree Nursery in northern NSW shares three of his fruity favourites – a mix of heritage varieties and one newcomer.

Heritage stone fruit trees are always a good choice, with newcomers added to the mix for a bit more choice for our variable climates.

Peach: Elberta (heritage)

Elberta is a variety from the 1870s, released in Georgia ,US, and celebrated ever since. The intensely yellow freestone flesh stays firm and juicy, even with processing and packaging. The classic peach flavour brought this to the forefront of commercial production in its time and is still a hit seller in nurseries catering to climates with 800 to 900 chill hours. The Elberta crops from February through to March and the peaches are large! Or go for Blackburn Elberta, which has the same characteristics as its parent, Elberta, but with an earlier harvest time.

Climate zones: Arid/semi-arid, Warm temperate, Cold temperate (Excluding warm coastal areas)
Height: 2.5–5m
Self-pollinating
Frost tolerant: Yes
Moderate watering
Dwarves available
Time to harvest: 2–3 years
Harvest: February
Chill hours: 800

Nectarine: Fantasia (heritage)

The Fantasia nectarine was introduced from the USDA in the 1960s and has been a market favourite ever since. Juicy and sweet, the freestone fruit has the iconic red and yellow skin that drives customer demand. Fantastic eaten fresh, the fruit also holds its quality well when preserving and baking, making it incredibly versatile. A minimum of 500 chill hours makes this a mid-range nectarine, and the self-pollinated fruit can be collected from January through March.

Cimate zones: Arid/semi-arid, Warm temperate, Cold temperate
Height: 2.5–5m
Self-pollinating
Frost tolerant: Yes
Moderate watering
Dwarves available
Time to harvest: 2–3 years
Harvest: January–March
Chill hours: 500

Apricot: Fireball (modern)

With its deep-orange skin and incredibly sweet flesh, Fireball packs
a punch in more than just name. A mid-season cropper, bearing with only 450 chill hours, this new variety can get you the classic apricot taste in an increasingly warm climate. With its heart-shaped leaves and stunning fruiting aesthetics, Fireball makes a great statement in any garden year round.

Climate zones: Arid/semi-arid, Warm temperate, Cold temperate (Excluding warm coastal areas)
Height: 2.5–4m
Partially self-pollinating
Frost tolerant: Yes
Moderate watering
Dwarves available
Time to harvest: 2–3 years
Harvest: November–December
Chill hours: 450

Chill requirements

Understanding chill hours can seem scary when selecting a new stone fruit tree, but it doesn’t need to be. Put simply, it refers to how much time a tree needs to be exposed to temperatures below 7oC for the buds to grow well come springtime. Check online for calculators, maps by government departments and enthusiastic community groups to help you understand what trees are likely to grow in your area. Just remember it’s not an exact science so be prepared to push the boundaries of what everyone says you can grow in your backyard!

Did you know?

Heritage is usually used to describe fruit trees and animals, and like heirlooms, are particular lines that have been bred and cared for over many generations and valued for their attributes and genetic make-up.

You can read Caleb’s full article with his top stone fruit picks in our Autumn 2026 issue. You’ll find it in newsagents and selected supermarkets. Or you can subscribe here to get an issue delivered to your door!