Prunus armeniaca 'Breda' (F)

RHS Plant Profile
apricot 'Breda'
Plants for pollinators
Fruit Edible

A self-fertile apricot cultivar that is considered to be reliable in cool climates; suitable for southern and central areas of the UK. The white spring blossom is followed by small, roundish, fruits with deep orange skin, and rich, highly-flavoured, deep orange flesh. Cropping season: late August

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand, Clay

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand Clay
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Potentially harmful
Seed kernels harmful if eatenwear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, rabbits, rodents): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plantside the kernels of the fruit are harmful if eaten
Genus
Prunus can be deciduous or evergreen trees or shrubs with showy flowers in spring, and often good autumn foliage colour. Some have edible fruit in autumn, and a few species have ornamental bark
Name Status
Accepted
Horticultural Group
This genus produces fruit, but not necessarily edible fruit

How to Grow

Cultivation

Apricots flourish on deep, moisture-retentive, well-drained, ideally slightly alkaline soils and struggle in poor, shallow soils. Although fully hardy, they bloom early, and the flowers are vulnerable to frost, so trees need a warm, sheltered position. Protect blossom from frost at night, and hand pollinate if insects are scarce. See apricot cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by grafting on rootstock for fruit. Seed-raised plants are likely to be inferior to the parent

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Edible fruit
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

May be trained as a fan on a warm wall, or as a free-standing bush in milder areas, see How to grow: Apricots for more details. Train fan-trained trees in spring. Pruning established fans is carried out in early summer and after harvest

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, brown scale, glasshouse red spider mite. Birds and squirrels may damage fruit

Diseases

May be susceptible to peach leaf curl, silver leaf, bacterial canker, blossom wilt and honey fungus