From Donut Peaches to White Peaches: Peach Varieties and Types of Peaches You Didn’t Know About
Most gardeners know classic types of peaches like the Elberta or Redhaven, but there’s a whole world of unusual, specialty peach tree varieties that offer surprising flavors, shapes, and colors. If you’ve ever wondered about donut peaches, white flesh peaches, or even red-fleshed peaches, this guide will introduce you to the most unique varieties of peaches you can grow at home.
Whether you're planting your first Prunus persica tree or expanding your home orchard, exploring different varieties of peaches adds excitement—and incredible flavor—to your harvest. Before choosing a tree, confirm your zone with the What Is My Growing Zone tool so you can match your climate to the right variety.
Donut Peaches—The Most Surprisingly Delicious Peach Variety
If you’ve never seen a peach shaped like a doughnut, prepare to be delighted. Donut peaches (sometimes called Saturn peaches) are flatter than typical peaches, with a sweet, low-acid flavor that many people prefer.
Stark Saturn Peach Tree
A standout on any peach varieties list, Stark Saturn is a true donut peach and one of the most juicy and sweet options available. These red skinned fruits ripen in mid season and are perfect for eating fresh.
Sweet Bagel Peach Tree
Similar in shape but even sweeter, Sweet Bagel offers dessert-quality flavor. It’s one of the peaches different varieties that rarely appear in grocery stores, making it ideal for gardeners wanting something unique.
Peach Sauzee Swirl
Peach Sauzee Swirl is a saucer-shaped peach features a swirled skin pattern—an eye-catching twist among peach varieties. Its unusual appearance makes it a fun addition for anyone who loves growing peaches.
White Peaches—Low Acid & Intensely Fragrant
White flesh peaches tend to be sweeter and less acidic than yellow varieties. They're wonderful eaten fresh, and their fragrance is unmatched.
Silver Logan White Peach Tree
Silver Logan White is a rare heirloom with smooth texture and rich sweetness. Its peaches ripen with a creamy white interior and subtle floral flavor.
Peach White Lady Tree
Peach White Lady is a premium white peach with high sugar content, White Lady produces a delicious peach that melts in your mouth.
Polly White Peach Tree
Polly White Peach is unusual because of its cold hardiness, Polly is perfect for areas with cooler springs. If you’ve wondered how many varieties of peaches are there, know that white peaches like Polly represent some of the most prized specialty types.
Blood Peaches—Rich Color & Stunning Flavor
Red-fleshed peaches are among the rarest peach varieties in the U.S.
Indian Free White Peach Tree
Despite the name, Indian Free is a blood peach with dramatic red flesh and berry-like flavor. This heirloom is unlike any other variety of peaches sold commercially.
North San Juan Blood Peach Tree
North San Juan Blood is equally striking, this variety has deep maroon flesh and intense flavor. These are truly different peach varieties that most people never encounter.
Multi-Grafted Trees—Three Flavors in One
If you can’t decide which peach tree varieties to grow, multi-grafted trees offer several peaches varieties on one rootstock.
Excellent multi-grafted options include:
- Low Chill Requirement Peaches, 3-in-1
- California Peach, 3-in-1 Multi Grafted Fruit Tree
- Zaiger Pride Peach, 3-in-1 Multi Grafted Fruit Tree
- White Peach/Nectarine, 3-in-1
These provide different varieties of peaches on one tree, extend harvest time, and are great for small gardens.
Other Unique Peaches Worth Growing
Not all unusual peaches are donut or white. These varieties stand out among peach tree varieties for flavor, bloom color, and ripening time.
Babcock Peach Tree
Babcock is classic California white peach known for sweet, low-acid flavor.
Suncrest Peach Tree
Suncrest is famous for incredible, aromatic fruit—featured in the book Epitaph for a Peach. It’s a top choice for those who love yellow flesh peaches.
Red Baron Peach Tree
Red Baron is one of the most beautiful flowering peach varieties, with vibrant double-red blossoms in spring. A showpiece in any garden.
Fairtime Peach Tree
Fairtime is late-season gem that ripens after many other varieties are done producing.
Conclusion
There are far more peach varieties than most gardeners realize, ranging from donut-shaped fruits to deeply colored blood peaches and rare, fragrant whites. Some peaches develop an orange yellow background while others show a striking red color, but all belong to the same beloved stone fruit family.
And just how many varieties of peaches are there worldwide? More than 2,000! Growing unusual peach varieties not only adds diversity to your orchard but also gives you incredible flavor options for baking canning and fresh eating.
Explore more peach tree varieties in our Bare Root Peach Trees Collection and enjoy harvesting truly unique fruits.
