apricot 'Early Moorpark'
apricot
- 9 litre pot | Myrobalan root stock |1.2m
- £49.99
- available to order from spring
- bare root | Myrobalan root stock | 1.2m
- £39.99
- available to order from spring
Delivery options
- Standard £7.95
- Position: full sun
- Soil: moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: April to May
- Hardiness: frost hardy (may need winter protection)
A popular self-fertile apricot variety, perfectly suited for the UK's climate. Its fragrant light-pink blossoms provide a stunning display in early spring, preceding the growth of leaves, and give way to pale yellow fruits with an appealing orange blush. Renowned for its exceptional taste, it's ideal for fresh consumption. This early-ripening English variety is the most popular and widely cultivated apricot in the UK, known for its juicy flesh, but to safeguard against spring frosts, consider planting it on a wall or in a sheltered area.
When planting your apricot, prepare a hole up to three times the diameter of its root system. Fork over the base of the pit in readiness, incorporating plenty of organic matter into the backfill and planting hole. Avoiding frozen and waterlogged soil, trees should be planted out as they arrive. If you've ordered a bare root tree, soak the roots in a bucket of water for half an hour prior to planting, or if this is not possible, they can be heeled in temporarily, covering their roots with soil, or potted up. In exposed positions, consider growing against or training on a sheltered, sunny wall, or stake firmly, keeping the base weed-free. Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring to support growth and fruiting and provide regular watering during hot, dry spells. Protect blooms from late frost by covering the plant with a double layer of horticultural fleece, and prune in summer to reduce the risk of disease.