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Regular price From £35Regular price
£45Sale price From £35'Flavorcot'® Apricot Tree
Flavour by name and nature!
- Fab flavour, arguably the best of any apricot
- Reliably high-yielding in warm summers
- Bake a batch of apricot shortbread
- Harvest from late July to September
1 option available
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Regular price From £50Regular price Sale price From £50
'Tomcot'® Apricot Tree
New, heavy-cropping variety
- Bold apricot flavour and juicy flesh
- Produces large fruits (and is reliable)
- Bake a chocolate and apricot cheesecake
- Harvest in August
2 options available
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Regular price From £45Regular price Sale price From £45
'Golden Glow' Apricot Tree
Gold from the Malvern Hills
- Punchy apricot flavour with lovely sweetness
- Copes well with UK conditions
- Rustle up an easy apricot tart
- Harvest in early August
1 option available
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Regular price From £40Regular price Sale price From £40
'Alfred' Apricot Tree
Born in the USA
- Juicy and aromatic flavour
- Less prone to dieback than other varieties
- Eat fresh from the tree or use to make jam
- Harvest in late July
1 option available
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Regular price From £42Regular price Sale price From £42
'New Large Early' Apricot Tree
Make jam worth shouting about
- Brimming with juicy sweetness
- Large, juicy fruits - perfect for jam
- Whip up an apricot glaze for your gammon
- Harvest in August
Currently out of stock
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Regular price From £32Regular price Sale price From £32
'Early Moorpark' Apricot Tree
Wonderfully neat and compact
- Sweeter than a summer's day
- Perfect for pots (move inside when cold)
- Use your apricots in a lamb tagine
- Harvest from late July or early August
Currently out of stock
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Regular price From £35Regular price Sale price From £35
Patio Apricot Tree
A little tree goes a long way!
- Expertly grown to keep nice and small
- Includes heavy-cropping varieties
- Eat straight after picking or dry for a snack
- Refreshing apricots, charming flowers
Currently out of stock
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Regular price From £45Regular price Sale price From £45
Cordon Apricot Tree
Tasty apricots in smaller spaces
- Expertly grown in a columnar shape
- Includes highly reliable varieties
- Dry for a tasty, quick sugar hit
- Sweet, juicy apricots, fragrant blossoms
Currently out of stock
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Regular price From £39Regular price
£41Sale price From £39Jam Maker's Fruit Plants Collection | Allotment in a Box
If fruit is your jam, grow your own!
- Rich and flavourful varieties
- Includes premium berries, currants & apricots
- Best fruits for jams, jellies and desserts
- Harvest from summer onwards
Currently out of stock
Roots' Cotswolds Valley Nursery
Meet Mike
Tree-growing skills honed right across the globe
Having started out in Australia, studied in Northern Ireland and volunteered at an organic farm in Sweden, it’s fair to say Mike’s done his fair share of travel on his horticultural journey, so far! Having happily laid down roots here at Roots, Mike is the don behind our tree-growing operation, imparting each and every one of his globally-honed skills to benefit your garden. Grown in our purpose-built nursery, in the ideal climatic conditions of the fertile Vale of Evesham, we’re proud to supply only the happiest, healthiest and hardiest trees.
Need help picking?
Which apricot tree?
If you’re growing your apricots outdoors, choose the most hardy and reliable variety New Large Early, which does exactly as its name suggests! For growing in pots or containers, choose a compact variety - Early Moorpark, deliciously sweet Flavourcot and heavy-cropping Tomcot are available in sizes to suit any space. Here’s some more help with choosing.
What's the deal with rootstocks?
Your apricot tree’s rootstock is the main factor in how large it will grow, so it’s good to check before you choose. St Julien A (SJA) rootstocks are pretty vigorous, reaching heights of 4.5-5m and making them ideal for average to large gardens. A Myrobalan rootstock will produce a smaller tree of around 3m - both of these can be kept smaller with regular pruning.
Growers' tips
Apricots are not the hardiest of fruit, and should be grown outdoors only in the warmer parts of the UK, on a South or West facing wall. However they do extremely well in containers sited on a sheltered patio in the warmer months and brought indoors over Winter. Smaller trees can even be grown in a greenhouse, where they will fruit earlier. Apricots tend to blossom early when there may not be many flying insects around, in which case they can be hand-pollinated with a paintbrush. Water them well and prune yearly to keep them in good shape. All of our apricots are self fertile, so they’ll produce fruit without a partner tree.
Using your apricots
Apricots from your own tree have a far superior flavour and texture to shop-bought, and can be enjoyed fresh from the garden. If you have a good crop, experiment with lovely apricot dishes including parfait, glazed tartes, tagines and Ally’s mum’s speciality dish. Apricot jam is also a must!
Apricot Trees FAQs
Can I grow apricot trees in the UK climate?
Apricot trees originate from sunnier climates than ours, but thanks to hardier breeds being developed, such as the ‘cot’ and ‘Moorpark’ varieties, they can be grown successfully in the UK, although they may need some winter protection in colder areas. Here are some more tips on choosing the best apricot tree for your garden.
When is the best time to plant apricot trees?
Bare root apricot trees need to be planted while the tree is dormant, between November and April. Potted trees can be planted at any time when the ground isn’t waterlogged or frozen. Spring is considered the best time, as it allows a nice long growing season before winter sets in.
Where should I plant my apricot tree?
Plant your apricot tree in a sunny, sheltered position (preferable south or west facing) in well drained, fertile soil. Your tree will do best with around 6-8 hours of sunlight per day.
How do I care for my apricot tree?
Water your apricot tree regularly, especially during hot or dry weather, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. In late winter or early spring, give it a layer of mulch around the base of the tree, to keep moisture in and weeds out. At the same time as this, you can give the tree a feed with general purpose fertiliser. There are more apricot care tips in our complete grow guide. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring - check out our growers’ guide to apricot pruning for some expert tips.
Do apricot trees need any special protection in the UK?
It’s a good idea to protect your apricot tree from late spring frosts, which can damage the blossoms and lead to disappointing crops. If your tree is in a pot you can move it indoors, or for trees in the ground, wrap it in horticultural fleece or bubblewrap until the danger has passed.
When can I expect to harvest apricots?
Apricot trees usually start to produce fruit when they’re around two years old. The apricots will ripen around June or July and should be harvested when they’re fully ripe but still a little firm to the touch. Handle them gently as they’re prone to bruising.
Plants arrived in great condition and very promptly. Well established - much better than the ones I got at my local garden centre.
Monica Spence
| 24 May
Yet again this company delivered good healthy plants, exactly as shown in photos, well packaged and within delivery time quoted. Recommend!
Jacqueline Burgess
| 2 Jun
I continue to be so impressed with Roots. Their customer care, knowledge of their subject: from planting hedges to pruning roses and more, has been a great support.
Judy Lane
| 23 Oct
The plant arrived looking vigorously healthy, which brings a smile to your face, extremely well protected in its packaging.
Martyn Hill
| 5 Jul
As a non-gardener, I found my whole experience brilliant. Great information & advice available on the website, great range of products & prices are brilliant.
John-Paul
| 22 May
Wonderful plants and great customer service... really surprised to find that the plants are better than those you would get at your local garden centre.
Gavin Wilcock
| 8 Nov
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