Peach Blossom
Prunus persica
Family: Rosaceae · Also called Tao Hua, Momo (Japanese), Flowering Peach, Truellum, Amblygonum, Antenoron
Green & Fresh · Spring bloomer
Peach blossom transforms orchards and gardens into clouds of shell-pink each spring, five-petaled flowers in soft pink to deep rose covering branches before the leaves emerge. Less stark than cherry blossom, warmer than plum blossom, peach blossom carries an approachable, romantic softness that has inspired poets for millennia.
romance, longevity, femininity, spring
In the Victorian language of flowers, peach blossom means “I am your captive, romantic love”. In Chinese culture, peach blossom represents romance and the ideal of feminine beauty. The mythical 'Peach Blossom Spring' (Taohua Yuan) by poet Tao Yuanming describes a hidden utopia, one of the most influential works in Chinese literature. Peach wood is considered protective against evil spirits; peach blossom festivals mark the lunar new year across China and Vietnam.
Did You Know?
Peaches originated in China (not Persia, despite the scientific name 'persica', Europeans mistakenly thought they came from the Middle East). They've been cultivated for at least 8,000 years. In Chinese mythology, the Peaches of Immortality in the Queen Mother of the West's garden ripen once every 3,000 years and grant eternal life.
Cultivated orchards and gardens; wild ancestors in mountain forests of northwestern China
Peach Blossom is native to China. It naturally grows in cultivated orchards and gardens; wild ancestors in mountain forests of northwestern china.
Scent Profile
“A light, sweet fragrance with fruity almond notes, gentler than plum blossom, with a warmth that hints at the fruit to come. Best appreciated on a warm spring morning with bees working the blossoms.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NamePrunus persica
- FamilyRosaceae
- Native ToChina
- Bloom SeasonSpring
- LifespanPerennial
Cultural Significance
In Chinese culture, peach blossom represents romance and the ideal of feminine beauty. The mythical 'Peach Blossom Spring' (Taohua Yuan) by poet Tao Yuanming describes a hidden utopia, one of the most influential works in Chinese literature. Peach wood is considered protective against evil spirits; peach blossom festivals mark the lunar new year across China and Vietnam.