Indian Free Peach – Is this the Purple Peach?
This past weekend we attended an event at the Acta Non Verba Urban Farm. Kelly Carlisle, who runs it asked us if we could bring some of our chickens and we happily obliged.
There was a woman that taught a cooking demonstration about how to make Sweet Potato Butter that was so very delicious Tom couldn’t stop eating it. Due to Tom constantly being at her table to snag another sample he struck up a conversation with the instructor (I wish I had caught her name). She told Tom about a purple peach she used to get for processing. It was so purple it dyed her hands purple when she processed them. She said it was a peach that was once fairly common in the South but rare elsewhere. According to her there was only two people she knew in the Bay Area that grew it, one in Oakland and one in Vallejo. He quickly ran over to me to tell me about it.
He knows me too well. I’m OBSESSED with unique, rare varieties of plants (and breeds of animals). A purple peach? I must find this variety and when I do I will be finding space somewhere in my yard to plant it. Of course Tom doesn’t want me adding more plants so by sharing this with me he was doing himself a disservice. I think he secretly wants one of these peach trees too.
I started researching online for purple peach varieties. Here’s what I’ve been able to find. Winegrowers used to plant peach trees with their vines. The peach trees were extra susceptible to mildew so when the trees got infected winegrowers would be able to stop the mildew problem before it effected their vines. These peaches were called “vine peach,” “wine peach,” or “blood peach” because of their red-purple flesh. From what I can deduce, this was primarily done in France though, so not exactly what I’m looking for. Or is it?
I then found this gem:
One “Blood” peach tree was sent Jefferson in 1807 by the Washington nurseryman Thomas Main. In 1810 Jefferson planted forty-one stones of the “black plumb peach of Georgia” in the “New Nursery.” These likely came from William Meriwether, who had passed on “black soft peaches of Georgia” in 1804 and “Georgia black” peaches in 1809. When pomological writers such as Philip Miller, William Coxe, A. J. Downing, and U. P. Hedrick discussed the Blood Cling peach, they attributed its origin to a French variety known as Sanguinole, a curiosity suitable mostly for preserving. Today the peach is known as the Indian Blood Cling, a name that unites the “Blood” peach of the French Sanguinole with the “Indian” peach that grows wild in the southeastern states of Georgia and Florida and was obtained by Jefferson as the “black plumb peach of Georgia.” The fruit, entirely splashed and mottled with scarlet, tiger-like stripes, is sometimes twelve inches round. The skin resembles a beet: scarlet, tough, and meaty, although pleasantly flavored and brisk. Blood Cling is a fine peach to eat out of hand but is mostly used for pickling and preserving. It was commonly listed by early nineteenth-century nurseries and is still offered in the trade.
There appears to be 4 varieties of peach that might be the purple peach I’m in search of. The Indian Blood Peach, the Indian Free Peach, the Sanguinole Peach, and the Sanguine de Manosque Peach. The funniest thing about all of this is that I have an Indian Blood Peach in my yard already. I originally bought it as an Indian Free Peach but it is not a freestone, but rather a clingstone, so I’m certain it’s actually the Indian Blood Peach. While it wasn’t as dark as the peach above, it was very dark red and it did indeed stain my hands as I ate it. Apparently the color can range from white with red stripes to the dark purple color above from year to year.
I’m sure Tom is relieved to know that I won’t be planting another tree in our yard.
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Arbutus or Strawberry tree is a California Native evergreen tree with beautiful decorative red bark, clusters of small pink flowers which become dry edible fruits. They aren’t the best tasting on their own but you can make preserves from them.
Aronia, or chokeberry is a large shrub native to North America and is now considered a super fruit (whatever that means). Small white flowers are followed by clusters of black or red fruit. Has showy fall color. Deciduous.
Blueberries are on deciduous to semi-evergreen shrubs. You’ll need at least two different varieties for pollination. They have fantastic fall color. In the spring they are covered with delicate white flowers which are followed by the fruit. They do need acid soil so if your soil isn’t quite right grow them in containers.
Citrus trees, particularly dwarf citrus, are great accents for any front yard and do well in pots. If you live in a colder climate you can keep them in pots and then move them indoors when the weather gets too cold.
Stevens Cranberries make a nice sprawling evergreen groundcover that turns purple in the winter. The do not need to be in a bog, as most people think. The bog is only created temporarily because it aids in harvest (the berries float).
Currants are very attractive deciduous shrubs with hanging clusters of pink flowers followed by clusters of showy fruit that comes in a variety of colors including red, black and white. There are California native currants (Ribes) that are also edible but more drought tolerant. They are related to gooseberries but don’t have thorns.
Fruit Trees are great for front yards because most of them put on a beautiful show of flowers in the spring and then fall color. Most are deciduous. Good choices include pear (photo above), apple, persimmon, pomegranate, fig (though should only be use if espaliered or you have a very large yard), and stone fruit.
We can’t forget some vines. Grapes make a great addition, especially if you have an entry feature such as an arbor or a covered walkway. As you can see they offer not only fruit but fantastic fall color.
Herbs (culinary and medicinal) are probably one of the best front yard plants. You get quite the bang for your buck and they are very decorative. Most are evergreen and will flower. Rosemary, thyme, chives, feverfew, basil and chamomile are just to name a few.
Horseradish is another great plant to add a new texture. Just be careful as it needs to be contained or it can become invasive.
Evergreen huckleberries are a California native, being more drought tolerant than it’s cousin the blueberry. They prefer shade but can do sun in cooler climates.
Arctostaphylos or Manzanita is a native Californian evergreen shrub or groundcover that has very attractive bark. In the spring it can be loaded with clusters of flowers that are followed by red edible berries.
Kiwi vines are another gorgeous vine that you can use over arbors or covered walkways. You will need at least two – one male and one female vine.
Lemongrass is a great plant to add to your front yard because it simply looks like an ornamental grass. It adds texture and movement to your landscape.
Olive trees are beautiful evergreen trees that give a Mediterranean feel.
Passionfruit is another vine you should consider if you live in a warmer climate. Beautiful, showy flowers are followed by fruits that ripen to dark purple.
Nasturtiums are a fantastic, rambling, vining groundcover that come in a multitude of flower colors. The leaves are edible and are commonly used in salads.
Raspberries make a great deciduous screening plant. They do run so it’s a good idea to contain them.
Rhubarb has these beautiful tropical looking leaves (but don’t eat them, only eat the stalks). There are different varieties that have different colored stalks. The leaves get huge and along with red stalks they add a lot of interest to the garden.
Rugosa Roses are where we get rose hips. They come in a variety of colors and of course have showy flowers. They can spread a bit by runners. Rose hips are commonly used in herbal teas but you can also use them to make jellies and candies.
Runner Beans are a great cool season vegetable to grow. Around here they are actually perennial, showing up every spring. Beautiful showy flowers cover them until the tops die back from frost.
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