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Prunus armeniaca Robada Apricot Options Explained
St Julien A Bush Grows to 3.5m: Delivered as 150-200cm tall in a 12L pot and a bush shape for improved fruiting and disease resistance.2-3 years old.
Prunus armeniaca Robada Apricot
The only other way you can get something this sweet-tasting and jumbo in your mouth is to lick a 747 jet covered in syrup. If the sweetness was any higher, you would think it had just snorted drugs and the tartness is low enough to mean it couldn't feature in 50 Shades of Grey but enough to cook with.
When sniffed, experts gave their feedback of the aroma as "whose bright idea was it to do this outside in the wind?". Later sniff tests conducted inside using smaller bits of flesh gave expert feedback of "I think I just inhaled a chunk". Final sniff tests conducted after a thorough health and safety briefing aimed at children resulted in feedback of "strong, classic apricot fragrance — floral and honey-like, sometimes with tropical hints when fully ripe".
The glossy skin is a deep orange with 50–70% red blush, almost like it was embarrassed at how tasty it is. The flesh is also a deep, vibrant orange. It is firm, smooth and dense — ideal for dessert fruits and for cooking.
Among the largest apricots available, so if you want a handful of fruity flesh in the garden without the neighbours raising their fences, then buy this apricot tree.
Freestone variety, making them easier to eat and process when cooking.
Developed in California for many qualities including drought resistance which was proven during tests in Ukraine in 2021–2022. Excellent for dehydrating.
Prunus armeniaca Robada Apricot Flowering and Harvest Times
The flowers are a soft pink turning white with a pink tinge and then mostly white.
Harvest mid-to-late July.
Self-Fertile / Self-Pollinating, so no need for another apricot variety planted nearby, but yields improve with a partner tree.
Planting Prunus armeniaca Robada
Good frost resistance that can be improved by planting in sheltered, full-sun positions.
Thrives in well-drained loam or sandy loam with pH 6.5–7.5. Avoid waterlogged clay or compacted soils.
Other Information about Prunus armeniaca Robada
Moderate to moderately high vigour — more robust than compact types like Compacta or Pink Marry, but less rampant than very vigorous varieties such as Bergeron.
Excellent for fresh eating, processing, and shipping.
Proven adaptable to the UK climate, offering reliable cropping in temperate regions.
70–90 g per fruit, with some exceeding 100 g in optimal conditions.
Top-rated eating quality in California taste panels, often beating Blenheim for sweetness and balance.
Even ripening across the tree, reducing the need for multiple pickings.
Resistant to rain-induced cracking — a big advantage in UK summers.
Longer post-harvest life due to thick skin and dense flesh.
Naturally open canopy with strong branch angles to reduce limb breakage.
Sometimes called the "model apricot" for its photogenic blush and symmetrical shape.
Quick Fruit Tree Links
Take a look at our TOP SELLING FRUIT TREES, Wet ground issues then choose a PEAR TREE first, followed by APPLE TREES. For more information on pollination please look at choosing the CORRECT POLLINATION PARTNER
Fruit Tree Life Expectancy
Most fruit trees will give you AT LEAST 40 years of fruit. Pears can go to 70. Records of 200 year old trees exist but this is the exception, not the rule.
Do I Need To Stake My Bare Root Fruit Tree?
9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article on Tree Staking should help guide you.
Climate Change
Climate Change has increased aesthetic foliage issues such as Powdery Mildew, Shothole, Rust, frost damage etc These are not terminal issues and will usually last a season or less. All trees are inspected before being sent out to ensure they are fundamentally healthy and will bounce back.
Planting In The Corner Of A Garden
Air and light is reduced in this location which could promote fungus and bacterial issues. If the corner is of the house and a fence then you also have leeching issues to contend with from cement and wood preservatives. Also when it rains, that area would experience higher water levels so we advise against it unless the plant is very hardy.
Fruit Tree Heights
Taller does not mean more value for money. A 1 year old fruit tree can easily be substantially higher than a 2 year old, this is because they are hard pruned at 1 year old to create the desired shape. Some trees have over 100cm of height removed. They can then have another pruning at 2 years old to increase fruit growing real estate. Most fruit trees will benefit from having a third to half of the seasons new growth cut back in the Autumn to prevent long whippy branches which break easily. Age and pruning completed determine real value.
Apricot Rootstocks Explained
Rootstocks are literally roots of another plant and are used to change characteristics of the Apricot tree such as disease resistance, fruiting ability etc. New rootstocks are used all the time as new ones are developed. Below is a brief explanation of Apricot rootstocks.
VVA1: Expected to grow to around 2.5m tall.
Torrinel24: Expected to grow to around 3.0m tall.
Montclere: Expected to grow to around 3.0m tall.
Ferlenain: Expected to grow to around 3.0m tall.
Wavit: Slightly less vigorous than St Julian, circa 3-3.5m apricot tree and crops a little earlier. Some chalk tolerance.
St Julian A: Expected to grow to around 3.5-4m tall and is quite vigorous with some chalk tolerance.
Myrobalan Seedling: A vigorous rootstock and ultimate height of 4m or more. Full cropping is longer than previous rootstock.
Peach Seedling: Better tolerance to water logging and firmer/sweeter flesh than Myrobalan. Grows to around 4m.
The trade off with a taller tree is more growing real estate but a smaller tree will fruit a little quicker. Ultimate height can be determined with manual pruning.
Apricot Tree Advice
Not a very demanding tree but a few things to remember.
- Make sure you plant the apricot tree in a well drained spot where there is a lot of sun.
- Balanced feed in early spring, NPK 10-10-10. No heavy nitrogen after June.
- Self fertile apricot fruit yields are improved by other compatible apricots nearby.
- Prune the tree every year to allow sun in and air to circulate into the centre.
- Fruits are ripe when you can pull them easily from the branch.
- A fleece over the tree or planting close to a wall can mitigate frost damage.
- Prune late winter. Aim for open vase shape. Remove dead, diseased and crossing branches.
- Consistent watering is essential. A dry spell followed by watering/heavy rain can split the fruit.
- All stone fruit, including apricots don't winter well in pots. Move under glass, near a wall and/or out of the wind. Thermally wrap the pot, mulch the surface and prevent freezing.
Apricot Fruit Thinning
Around 6 weeks after flowering, check the fruits. You want fruit spacing of around 15cm and 1-2 fruits per cluster. The ones to remove are those pointing up, smaller than the others, double fruited and odd shapes. Most fruit trees naturally drop fruits in June.
Thinning improves size of final fruits, branch breakages, uneven yearly crop sizes and air circulation.
