Can you Identify the difference between Cherry Blossom and Peach Blossoms? | FlowerAdvisor

Peach Blossom is one of the popular spring flowers that is popularly grown in southern Asia. These beautiful flowers can come in a variety of colors and are popularly used in flower bouquets. They are a popular gift item given for weddings, anniversaries, valentines days, etc. 

What is a peach blossom?

The peach blossom flower is a member of the rose family. It grows on Prunis persica which is a deciduous tree. The plant is a relative of the plums, cherries, and almond trees. These flowers have over a hundred varieties. However, peach blossom plants are broadly classified into two categories depending upon the type of fruit they give: freestone and clingstone. Freestone peaches have fruit pulp that can be pulled away from the pit easily. While clingstone peaches have fruits that cling to the pit.

Much like cherry blossoms, peach blossoms have a delicate texture, soft petals, and a sweet aroma. The nectar extracted from these flowers is mild in flavor and is generally less sweet than average. The nectar can be extracted. However, due to the delicate nature of the flower, the task is difficult.

Peach trees are native to China. However, they can now be found in various countries in the world. The trees have been cultivated in China for over two thousand five hundred years. They were introduced in Greece in 300 BC and weren’t introduced in the U.S. until the mid-1500s. Currently, the largest manufacturer of peach flowers is done in California.

Peach trees, flower’s and fruit have found various applications. These beautiful flowers are often used in functions and food. 

What months do peach trees bloom? How does it appear?

Peach trees typically bloom in the spring months. Therefore peach blossom flowers can be seen in early and mid-April. The blooming also depends on the length of the winter. Longer, colder winters result in late blooming. Since peach flowers require freer chill hours, the trees don’t flower until the weather is sufficiently warm.

Peach trees grow fast and can reach 25 feet high in a few years. The peach blossom tree grows width-wise more than length-wise. Therefore, a sufficiently large area is required to plant and grow a tree. The tree can live for 15 years if cared for properly. Peach trees are susceptible to diseases and pests like spiders and aphids, making these difficult to be taken care of.

The peach blossom color depends entirely on the variety of the plant. However, these flowers have been recorded to have colors varying from pale pink to hot pink to magenta. The peach blossom flower usually consists of five petals and stringy stamens. The flowers are approximately three centimeters in diameter.

What does a peach tree look like when it blooms?

Peach blossom trees are a beautiful sight when they bloom. The bright colored flowers contrast with the light green leaves and the dark brown stems. These can often be cut and used for household decoration. 

The flowers of the peach tree don’t grow in clusters. Instead, they grow as solitary flowers or in pairs. Therefore, they can be photographed to show the individual qualities of each flower. The buds of the flowers develop before the winter and can be used to determine how many flowers would bloom in the following year.

Can peach blossoms be eaten?

Peach flowers are popularly used as an edible garnish. Since they provide a mild, sweet flavor to the dish, they are rarely cooked. Instead, the bright colors of the petals are used to decorate both sweet and savory dishes. 

Peach flower’s sweet flavor is used to complement other flavors in the dish. It can easily be paired with fruit like lemons, apricots, and pears. Additionally, it is also paired with other edible flowers like Rose and Jasmine. In such combinations, the flowers enhance the taste of each other.

When used as a garnish, the petals of these flowers are removed from the stamen. The petals are the only edible, digestible part of the flower. The stigma, the stamen, and other parts can be tough to chew and difficult to swallow. Therefore, they need to be separated to compound the effect of the flower.

Peach blossom flowers cannot be stored or refrigerated. Instead, these flowers have to be used immediately. The flowers should first be washed with room temperature water, and then placed in an ice-cold bath. The flowers can be removed from the bath, plucked, and served directly.

Peach flowers can also be used to make tea. In Korea, peach flowers are harvested in springtime, dried in indirect heat, and stored. Only the dried petals are stored. These dried flowers are generally used to make peach tea. 

While peach trees originate in China, they are often used by chefs all over the world. Since they require minimal preparation, they can be used by any home cook without any preparation.

What is the difference between a peach blossom tree and a cherry blossom tree?

While many people believe cherry blossoms and peach blossoms are similar, there are inherent differences between the two:

 

1. Flowers: 

Cherry blossom flowers have a cleft at the tip of their petals, making the flowers look pointy with a dent in the middle (like a heart). On the other hand, peach flowers taper off to make a sharp tip.

2. Color:

The colors of cherry blossom flowers range from white to light pink. However, peach blossom color is rarely white. They’re often in shades of pink, magenta, or purple. 

3. Stems:

Cherry blossom trees have long stems attached to a single flower but. Peach trees have short stems with two flowers sprouting from the branch. 

4. Blooming:

Cherry blossoms bloom in March and April, while peach flowers bloom in early and mid-April.

These are the four major differences in peach and cherry blossom flowers. However, they each stand for different symbols in Chinese mythology.

What is the peach blossom in Chinese mythology? 

It is believed that the peach tree holds mystical properties that can bring good luck to its bearer. This belief is the popular reason why Chinese and Japanese brides often carry a peach blossom bouquet. Each part of the peach tree holds a different symbolism.

In Chinese Taoist mythology, peach fruit is the symbol of immortality. The peach blossom fruit is believed to make a person eternally young. While there is no proof of this, eating peach fruit is now associated with increased lifespan. Therefore, the demand for peach fruit has increased over the past several centuries.

The peach wood is believed to ward off evil spirits. In ancient China, peach wood was used to fashion bows and arrows. These could then be used to dispel evil. While this tradition is no longer continued, peach wood is still used to fashion amulets. Peach fruit pits are often carved to create small, wearable amulets that protect the wearer’s health and safety.

Peachwood charms are commonly found in China. These are small, delicate, and can often be attached to bracelets or necklaces. The charms are intricately carved to bestow health, peace, protection, or a longer lifespan on the wearer. The charms are carved with Chinese inscriptions according to their purpose.

These flowers are often the sign of infinity. Therefore, in most Chinese houses, vases bear the design of peach trees. They are often used to decorate various other items around the house. The designs can also be found on paintings, cooking china, curtains, and clothes.

What is peach blossom good for?

Peach flowers are also associated with Good Feng Shui or good luck. The peach blossoms’ meaning in the Chinese and Japanese culture is good luck. However, these flowers have various health benefits. 

Peach tea is a summertime treat that is best served freshly brewed. Due to the excellent, sweet flavor of the drink, peach tea is easily available in supermarkets. Manufacturers usually make the tea from peach blossom tree bark, leaves, fruit, flowers, peel, or extract. The benefits of the tea vary according to the ingredient used.

The most common benefits of drinking peach tea are:

1. Peaches have a high vitamin quantity. The fruit contains Vitamins A and C. Therefore drinking peach tea can help maintain your vitamin levels.
2. Peaches are a good source of antioxidants. Consuming peach tea can help prevent cancer. The anti-oxidants in the tea protect cells from the free radical reactions that lead to cancer.
3. Peach fruits also contain carotenoids, a type of antioxidant. These can be used to reduce inflammation in the body.
4. Since peaches are an excellent source of antioxidants, they can also be used to reduce the damage caused by smoking. White-fleshed peach is used to increase nicotine metabolism and excretion in smokers.
5. Unsweetened peach tea can also be used to manage obesity. While the tea does not have any weight loss effect, it can be used to control blood glucose levels.
6. Drinking peach tea regularly reduces the risk of eye infections and cataracts.
7. Peach tea or brew is often used to cure stomach ailments including diarrhea and constipation.
8. Peach tea has often been used to reduce freckles and promote skin whitening. The tea can be consumed directly or be used as a face mask.

Peach flower bouquets for weddings

Since peach trees bloom in spring, they are plucked and made into a bouquet. These delicate flowers can wilt within hours. Therefore, if you’re looking for peach blossoms in Singapore, you should opt for a florist that will provide same-day flower delivery. Old peach flowers have usually lost their smell, their delicate consistency, and their color.

Other than peach blossom tea and wedding bouquet, these flowers are often used for various other applications. Take a look at the various peach blossom gift ideas given below.

Peach blossom gift ideas

1. Candles:

Peach Blossom Candles are one of the most popular gift items currently available. Peach blossom essential oils or extracts are usually mixed with wax to create candles. These candles boost the room’s positive energy. 

2. Wine:

Peach blossom wine is made from a mixture of rice and peach blossom flowers. The two ingredients are fermented for 5-10 years before decanting. The wine has a sweet subtle note of peach blossoms.

3. Pendants:

Acrylic pendants with a small blossom trapped in the center are a popular gift item for women. These are often available online and can last up to several years. Rose gold-framed pendants are small, affordable, and beautiful gift items.

 

4. Perfumes & essential oils: 

Peach blossom perfumes and essential oils can be worn in day-to-day life. These are popular gifts for women. They can last all day and will make the wearer smell fresh and fruity.

5. Home décor:

Due to the bright colors of these flowers and their seasonal flowering, peach blossoms are a popular home décor. They can also be replaced with artificial peach blossom flowers that can be added to any home and don’t require flowering. 

6. Bath Salts & Soaps:

Peach blossom soap and bath salts are underrated gift items. These are produced by very few manufacturers. However, they can produce gentle foam that moisturizes the body and embeds the fresh smell of peach flowers.

These are the popular peach blossom gifts that you can buy. The biggest advantage of gifting from the above-given list is that, unlike real flowers, these can last much longer. They provide the original fragrance of peach blossoms and can last longer than natural flowers.