Mericrest Nectarine Tree

Most people assume nectarines are a warm-climate fruit. Mericrest is here to prove them wrong. Developed in New Hampshire from a cross of Nectacrest and Merideth nectarines, this cold-hardy variety withstands temperatures as low as -28°F — making it one of the hardiest nectarines available anywhere. If you’ve wanted to grow your own nectarines but thought your climate was too harsh, Mericrest was bred for you.

Real Nectarine Flavor From a Tree Built for the North

Mericrest doesn’t sacrifice quality for hardiness. The fruit is medium-sized with smooth, deep red skin, bright yellow freestone flesh that separates cleanly from the pit, and a rich, sweet-tangy flavor with excellent overall fruit quality. It ripens in August — right in the heart of summer — delivering the kind of juicy, aromatic nectarine experience that makes growing your own so rewarding.

Decades of Proven Cold-Climate Performance

Introduced in the 1950s in New Hampshire, Mericrest has been trusted by northern growers for over 70 years. That kind of staying power doesn’t happen by accident — it reflects consistent performance in challenging climates where most stone fruit trees simply won’t survive winter. Self-pollinating and requiring approximately 950 chill hours, it’s naturally suited for regions with cold, reliable winters.

Why Growers Choose Mericrest

• Extraordinary cold hardiness — withstands temperatures as low as -28°F
• Rich, sweet-tangy flavor — excellent fruit quality that rivals warm-climate nectarines
• Freestone flesh — clean separation from the pit for easy slicing and prep
• Proven northern performer — over 70 years of trusted cold-climate production
• Self-pollinating — fruit with just one tree
• Developed in New Hampshire — bred from the ground up for northern growing conditions