Scientific Name
Prunus persica x dulcis 'Hall's Hardy'
The true almond tree (Prunus dulcis) is a risky choice in our region because it lacks cold hardiness — survival below 0°F is far from guaranteed. A more reliable option for colder areas is the ‘Hall’s Hardy’ cultivar, a hybrid between almond and peach (Prunus persica). Almonds are native mainly to western Asia and now thrive in Mediterranean climates worldwide, such as California’s Central Valley, where the bulk of global production occurs. They need long, hot, dry summers and supplemental irrigation to perform well.
The peach genes in ‘Hall’s Hardy’ give it the extra cold tolerance needed for our winters and push its bloom time slightly later, helping the delicate light pink flowers avoid late spring freezes. The tree also shows some hybrid vigor, growing quickly. At 16 feet tall, it already ranks second among Colorado’s champion almond trees, not far behind a specimen in Greeley. The fruit resembles a tiny peach, but the outer flesh isn’t edible; the prize is the seed inside the hard shell. This self-fertile tree began producing fruit at a young age in 2023. Alas, we haven’t had the chance to sample the nuts — squirrels claim them the moment they ripen — but we suspect they may be tasty, albeit slightly bitter.