Nectarine
Can I Grow Arctic Star?
Arctic Star is a white-fleshed nectarine with exceptional sweetness and low acidity — like eating candy off the tree. The early harvest and stunning flavor make it a farmers' market favorite.
Growing Requirements
Chill Hours
500
Hardiness Zones
6-7-8-9
Harvest
June to July
Results
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Pruning dates, harvests, spray schedules, what worked. The gardeners who get the most from their trees are the ones who kept records.
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About Arctic Star
Arctic Star is a white-fleshed nectarine with exceptional sweetness and low acidity — like eating candy off the tree. The early harvest and stunning flavor make it a farmers' market favorite.
Arctic Star requires 500 chill hours — the number of hours between 32°F and 45°F during winter dormancy. Without enough chill, the tree may fail to flower properly or produce poor fruit.
⚠️ Common Challenges
White flesh shows bruising easily; very early bloom makes frost a risk; short shelf life.
❌ Common Misconception
Will Arctic Star produce more fruit in colder climates?
Not necessarily. Arctic Star only needs 500 chill hours. Planting in very cold zones (5 or colder) risks winter damage without improving fruit production. The ideal zones are 6-9 where the tree gets enough chill without excessive cold stress.
If you plant it, write it down.
Variety, rootstock, planting date — and every pruning and harvest after that. Future you will thank you.
Free for up to 30 plants. No card needed.
Other Nectarine Varieties
Chill hour data from Open-Meteo Historical Weather API. Variety information compiled from university extension services.