Top 20 Apricot Varieties to Grow: Tips and Advice for a Successful Harvest
Apricots are prized for their sweet, aromatic flavour and beautiful spring blossom, making them one of the most rewarding stone fruits to grow. Once considered difficult in cooler climates, modern apricot varieties are now far more reliable, with improved frost resistance, compact growth habits, and excellent cropping even in UK gardens when given a warm, sheltered position.
Apricot trees can be grown as free-standing bushes, fans against sunny walls, or even in large containers. With the right variety and care, they produce delicious fruit for fresh eating, baking, drying, and preserving.
This guide covers the top 20 apricot varieties to grow, along with practical tips and advice to help you achieve healthy trees and a dependable harvest.
⭐ Recommended Products for Growing Apricots Successfully
Apricots benefit from warmth, good drainage, and careful protection during flowering. The following essentials help maximise fruit set and long-term tree health.
• Tree Stakes, Ties, or Wall Training Wires
Young apricot trees need support while establishing. Training wires are essential for fan-grown trees against walls, improving warmth and airflow.
👉 Click here to see top options
• Well-Rotted Manure or Garden Compost
Annual mulching improves soil fertility, moisture retention, and fruit size while keeping trees vigorous and productive.
👉 Click here to see top options
• Horticultural Fleece or Blossom Protection
Apricot blossom appears early and is vulnerable to late frosts. Temporary fleece protection can make the difference between crop and failure.
👉 Click here to see top options
What Are Apricots?
Apricots (Prunus armeniaca) are stone fruits closely related to peaches and plums. They produce velvety-skinned orange fruits with sweet, aromatic flesh and a central stone.
- Flavour: Sweet, honeyed, lightly tart
- Growth habit: Small to medium-sized tree
- Harvest season: July to August
- Uses: Fresh eating, jams, drying, baking
Apricots are self-fertile, but pollination improves with warmth and shelter.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Apricots
- Soil: Fertile, free-draining soil
- Position: Full sun, sheltered from wind
- Spacing: 3–4m for bush trees
- Pollination: Mostly self-fertile
- Harvesting: Pick when fully coloured and fragrant
Good drainage is essential—apricots dislike waterlogged roots.
Top 20 Apricot Varieties to Grow
1. Moorpark
One of the most famous apricot varieties.
- Exceptional flavour
- Large fruit
- Best grown against a wall
Outstanding dessert apricot.
2. Tomcot
Modern, reliable variety.
- Early ripening
- Heavy cropping
- Good frost tolerance
Excellent for UK gardens.
3. Goldcot
Cold-hardy selection.
- Late flowering
- Reliable yields
- Sweet flavour
Good for cooler regions.
4. Orange Red
Highly regarded dessert apricot.
- Rich flavour
- Attractive colour
- Consistent crops
Excellent fresh eating variety.
5. Harcot
Canadian-bred hardy variety.
- Frost-resistant blossom
- Good disease resistance
- Sweet, juicy fruit
Very reliable.
6. Alfred
Traditional English variety.
- Large fruit
- Rich aroma
- Best in sheltered sites
Classic garden apricot.
7. Flavorcot
Premium dessert variety.
- Excellent sweetness
- Firm flesh
- High-quality fruit
Ideal for fresh eating.
8. Bergeron
Late-flowering French variety.
- Reliable cropping
- Good flavour
- Hardy growth
Excellent against walls.
9. Goldrich
Large-fruited variety.
- Big apricots
- Balanced sweetness
- Strong disease resistance
Good for warmer positions.
10. Early Orange
Early-ripening selection.
- Early harvest
- Sweet flavour
- Compact growth
Extends the season.
11. Tardif de Bordaneil
Late-season variety.
⭐ Recommended Products — Garden & Allotment Essentials for March
March is when the growing season truly begins. Seeds are being sown daily, beds are prepared and late frosts are still possible — these essentials help produce strong plants and a successful start.
Seed Trays, Modules & Propagation Kits — perfect for tomatoes, brassicas, lettuce, onions and flowers. 👉
Click here to see top options
Heated Propagators, Heat Mats & Grow Lights — improves germination and prevents leggy seedlings during cold nights. 👉
Click here to see top options
Seed & Cutting Compost — essential for healthy seedlings and strong root growth. 👉
Click here to see top options
Garden Fleece & Plant Protection Covers — protects seedlings, potatoes and early plantings from late frost. 👉
Click here to see top options
Spring Vegetable Seeds — carrots, beetroot, peas, spinach and salads can all be started now. 👉
Click here to see top options
Garden Kneeler & Seat — makes long sowing and planting sessions far more comfortable. 👉
Click here to see top options
Pressure Washer (Greenhouse & Patio Cleaning) — clean patios, paths and greenhouses before planting. 👉
Click here to see top options
Solar Garden Lights — perfect for enjoying the garden during brighter spring evenings. 👉
Click here to see top options
- Later flowering
- Good frost avoidance
- Rich flavour
Excellent for cooler climates.
12. Blenheim
Classic American variety.
- Aromatic flesh
- Medium-sized fruit
- Good dessert quality
Popular heritage choice.
13. Rouge de Roussillon
French heritage variety.
- Deep orange-red skin
- Intense flavour
- Excellent aroma
Premium dessert apricot.
14. Kioto
Modern reliable cultivar.
- Late flowering
- Consistent crops
- Sweet, firm flesh
Good UK performer.
15. Hungarian Best
Traditional Central European variety.
- Large fruit
- Strong flavour
- Reliable growth
Excellent for preserves.
16. Nancy
Old French variety.
- Sweet, juicy fruit
- Attractive appearance
- Good productivity
Excellent all-rounder.
17. Goldstrike
Heavy-cropping variety.
- Uniform fruit size
- Good flavour
- Strong tree vigour
Ideal for productive gardens.
18. Aprisali
Early-flowering type.
- Good sweetness
- Compact habit
- Best under protection
Suitable for greenhouses.
19. Compact Apricot
Space-saving selection.
- Smaller tree size
- Reliable cropping
- Good flavour
Ideal for patios and containers.
20. Heritage Apricot
Traditional open-pollinated type.
- Classic flavour
- Hardy growth
- Long-lived tree
Perfect for heritage orchards.
Common Problems When Growing Apricots
- Poor fruit set: Frost-damaged blossom
- Fruit drop: Inconsistent watering
- Disease: Avoid winter pruning
- Split fruit: Sudden heavy rain
Good siting and blossom protection prevent most issues.
Pruning Tips for Better Harvests
- Prune in summer only
- Remove overcrowded branches
- Maintain an open structure
- Avoid winter pruning to reduce disease
Light, regular pruning works best.
Harvesting and Storage Tips
- Harvest when fruits are fully coloured and fragrant
- Pick carefully to avoid bruising
- Eat fresh or refrigerate short term
- Excellent for freezing, drying, and jam
Apricots do not ripen further once picked.
Nutritional Benefits of Apricots
- High in vitamin A
- Rich in antioxidants
- Good source of fibre
- Low in calories
A nutritious and delicious summer fruit.
Final Thoughts
Apricots are one of the most satisfying fruit trees to grow, combining early blossom, compact growth, and superb flavour. With modern varieties offering improved reliability and frost resistance, they are now achievable in many home gardens.
Whether you choose classic Moorpark for flavour, hardy Goldcot for reliability, or compact varieties for patios, the right apricot tree—grown in a warm, sheltered spot—will reward you with years of beautiful blossom and delicious harvests.