With its picturesque blossoms, the apricot tree awakens hope for a lush yield of juicy fruits. Read here when an apricot blooms. These are the names of the best early, mid-early and late-flowering apricot varieties.
When does an apricot tree bloom?
An apricot tree blooms betweenMarch and April The earliest apricot variety 'Mombacher Frühapricot' blooms in mid-March. Medium-early flowering apricot varieties, such as 'Hungarian Best', bloom from the end of March to mid-April. The apricot 'Bergeron' has its latest flowering period from mid-April to early May.
When does an apricot tree bloom?
An apricot tree (Prunus armeniaca) blooms fromMarch to April Before the leaves emerge, the white to pink cupped flowers with a diameter of about 2.5 cm appear. Thanks to their hermaphrodite flowers, most apricots are self-fertile. Depending on the apricot variety, a distinction is made between early, mid-early and late flowering periods:
- Early blooming 'Mombacher Early Apricot' from mid-March to early April (earliest apricot blossom).
- Medium-early flowering apricot 'Hungarian Best' from the end of March to mid-April (hardiest apricot variety).
- Late blooming apricot 'Bergeron' from mid-April to early May (latest apricot flowering time).
When does an apricot tree bloom for the first time?
A grafted apricot tree blooms for the first time after three to four years and as espalier fruit often in its second year. If the apricot comes from cuttings, you can expect the first flowering period after four to five years. An apricot tree grown from an apricot kernel takes five to six years before the first flowers develop. Given an average lifespan of 10 to 15 years, a grafted apricot from the nursery will give you the earliest flowering and the largest harvest.
Tip
Protecting a flowering apricot tree from frost
During the flowering period, an apricot's winter hardiness reaches its limits early on. In late frosts of -3° Celsius, up to 90 percent of the apricot blossoms freeze. The best way to protect an apricot tree from frost is with a fleece cover. A bulwark of reed mats protects the apricot tree on the espalier from frost damage. Put a flowering potted apricot in a frost-free, bright room overnight.
