Plant Library

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Description:

An attractive fruit tree with showy pinkish-white flowers in spring; large, freestone, pale orange fruit that are sweet and juicy in mid summer; needs full sun, well-drained soil and a pollinator; flowers can be damaged by late spring frost

Edible Qualities

Blenheim Apricot is a small tree that is commonly grown for its edible qualities. It produces large orange round fruit (technically 'drupes') with yellow overtones and orange flesh which are usually ready for picking in mid summer. Note that the fruits have hard inedible pits inside which must be removed before eating or processing. The fruits have a sweet taste and a firm texture.

The fruit are most often used in the following ways:

• Fresh Eating
• Cooking
• Baking
• Preserves
• Drying
• Canning

Features & Attributes

Blenheim Apricot is covered in stunning clusters of fragrant white flowers with shell pink overtones along the branches in early spring before the leaves. It has green deciduous foliage. The pointy leaves turn yellow in fall. The fruits are showy orange drupes with yellow overtones, which are carried in abundance in mid summer. The fruit can be messy if allowed to drop on the lawn or walkways, and may require occasional clean-up.

This is a deciduous tree with a more or less rounded form. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition. This plant will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Messy
• Disease

Aside from its primary use as an edible, Blenheim Apricot is sutiable for the following landscape applications;

• Shade
• Orchard/Edible Landscaping

Planting & Growing

Blenheim Apricot will grow to be about 20 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 15 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 50 years or more. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn't require a second plant nearby to set fruit.

This tree is typically grown in a designated area of the yard because of its mature size and spread. It should only be grown in full sunlight. It does best in average to evenly moist conditions, but will not tolerate standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.