About
A small, deciduous tree with broadly oval, pointed leaves. Pink-tinged, white blossom in early spring is followed by yellow-orange fruit with a red flush, ripening in late July. A reliable, self-fertile variety which produces flavoursome fruit from a young age.
About the genus
Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam
Soil pHAlkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeFruit Edible, Trees
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height4-8 metres
Spread1.5-2.5 metres
Time to full height5-10 years
Suggested usesCity and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Mediterranean climate plants, Patio and container plants
ToxicitySeed kernels harmful if eaten, wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plantside the kernels of the fruit are harmful if eaten
Care notes
CultivationApricots flourish on deep, moisture-retentive, well-drained, ideally slightly alkaline soils and struggle in poor, shallow soils. Although fully hardy, they bloom early, and the flowers are vulnerable to frost, so trees need a warm, sheltered position. Protect blossom from frost at night, and hand pollinate if insects are scarce. See apricot cultivation for further advice. Thin heavy crops when the size of hazelnuts. See fruit thinning
PruningMay be trained as a fan on a warm wall, or as a free-standing bush in milder areas. Prune only in spring, as the sap is rising, or between the end of July and the end of August
PropagationPropagate by grafting. Seed-raised plants are likely to be inferior to the parent
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite. Birds and squirrels may damage fruit
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus