Blenheim Apricot Tree

For an overall winning Apricot tree, you really can’t go wrong with Blenheim Apricot (Prunus armeniaca 'Blenheim'). This early blooming variety features pale orange fruits that have a sweet, aromatic flavor. This “all-arounder” is an excellent Apricot for every use, including fresh eating, juicing, drying and canning.

This heirloom variety produces delectable, fragrant fruit that has been savored since the 18th century. “Royal” Blenheim fruit tree sets the standard for Apricots, and was well-renowned as a treat fit for royalty.

Starting from the lovely spring bloom of pink and white blossoms, to the stunning fruit set, Blenheim doesn’t disappoint. The skin is pale orange flecked with crimson and tends to green at the shoulder.

The juicy, orange flesh ripens from the inside. With an easy, freestone pit, this high quality fruit is ready for harvest in mid-season.

Blenheim is a widely adapted tree that is well suited for a wide range of climates from Zone 5 through the low chill hours of Zone 9. It’s also blessedly versatile for modern households and can be used in any Apricot application.

Start enjoying your very own fruit, warm from the sun. Blenheim is a fantastic variety for backyard orchards. Order your healthy trees from the expert growers at Nature Hills today!

How to Use Blenheim Apricot in the Landscape

Add an early mid-season, flowering Blenheim to your lineup of Apricot trees in a backyard orchard. While self-pollinating, trees always seem to produce more with partners nearby. Buy two trees or try another variety to boost the cropping.

Try another low chill variety like Flavortop if you live in warm winter climates. Or, add a Tilton Apricot tree in cold winter zones to beat any late frosts. You’ll happily extend your period of harvest.

We recommend using these beautiful trees as a flowering, ornamental edible accent. They truly are attractive in all seasons, with pretty blooms, handsome foliage, lovely fruit and bright yellow fall color.

Use 3 of them in a loose, informal grouping, or in a hedgerow. You can plant them 5 - 15 feet apart, depending on how you want to use them in your design.

For a backyard orchard, plant 5 - 7 feet apart on center, and plan to maintain their size with annual summer pruning. Or, give them 15 feet between the trees, measuring from the center of one to the center of the next. Allow them to reach their full spread and control the height as you wish.

Fresh Blenheim fruit stores for several weeks. Prep them to dehydrate, can them or slice and freeze to enjoy your harvest through the wintertime.

#ProPlantTips for Care

Give Blenheim Apricot trees a location with full sun, well-drained soil and good air circulation. If you need to improve the soil drainage, you can create a raised planting bed or mound dirt to 18 inches and 3 feet wide.

Provide a moderate amount of water on a regular basis. Apply a 3 inch layer of mulch to keep the root system cold, but don’t let the mulch touch the trunk. Pull it back away by an inch or two, and spread it out to 3 feet past the canopy.

In spring after bud break, prune Apricots to remove crossing branches, or to eliminate vertical branches to get more sunlight and air into the canopy.

Fruiting wood is strongest when horizontal or 45 degree angle, so sculpt your tree’s scaffolding branches with that aim in mind. Thin fruit early in the season to gain good size on your mature fruits.

Prune for size control in summer. You can keep fruit trees under 8 feet for ease of harvest, spraying and netting.

Blenheim has won the hearts of so many people over the course of its history. It’s still a big winner in taste tests today. Include this all-purpose variety for outstanding flavor. Order today!