Peach growers in Alabama are looking for new and competitive cultivars to address various production challenges and improve production sustainably. The Clemson University Peach Breeding Program (CUPBP) has recently developed and released new and improved peach cultivars that have tolerance to bacterial spot, are early season ripening, and have excellent fruit quality. These cultivars can considerably contribute to sustainability of peach production in Alabama and the region. An advanced selection that was tested at the Chilton Research and Extension Center as ‘SC-1’ in 2017 has been recently released as a new cultivar, ‘EveRes Ruby’ (figure 1). Tees of ‘EveRes Ruby’ were grafted on Guardian® rootstock and planted at the Chilton Research and Extension Center in Clanton, Alabama. The study evaluated their vegetative growth, phenological development, cropping potential, and fruit quality characteristics in central Alabama conditions.’

‘EveRes Ruby’ requires about 800 chilling hours to break dormancy, according to the breeder Ksenija Gasic. In central Alabama conditions, blooming for ‘EveRes Ruby’ starts in early- to mid-March—4 to 6 days after the ‘CaroRes Wonder’ cultivar—and the fruit ripens late-May to early June (figure 1).

At the research site, ‘EverRes Ruby’ fruit started to mature in late May, and the trees were harvested May 28, May 31, June 4, and June 10, 2024 (table 1). The ‘EveRes Ruby’ fruit appearance is attractive, with almost 100 percent blush cover and a slightly elongated fruit shape in comparison with ‘CaroRes Wonder’ (figure 2).

The average yield per tree was 37.9 kilograms, with the highest crop of 14.0 kilograms per tree being harvested May 31. The average number of fruit harvested per tree was 239.8. The average fruit mass varied between 162.0 and 193.4 grams among the harvest dates and was an average of 173.8 grams for the season. Eating quality was good, as the fruit had juicy, firm flesh. ‘EveRes Ruby’ fruit is slow softening and stays firm on the tree. It requires a few days at room temperature to soften and become juicy, melting and freestone. The average sugar content of 11.6 percent indicates fruit was harvested a bit early this year due to the frequent rain events during fruit maturation season. ‘EveRes Ruby’ fruit has high tolerance to bacterial spot (figures 1 and 2), good size consistency, and extremely high pack-out volume.

If you want to plant ‘EveRes Ruby’ peaches, the Cumberland Valley Nursery and Vaughn Nursery in Tennessee are licensed to sell plant material from ‘EveRes Ruby’, as well as ‘CaroRes Wonder’.