Fruit Tree
Blenheim Apricot
Prunus armeniaca 'Blenheim' · Rosaceae
Also called: Royal Blenheim Apricot, Royal Apricot
Blenheim Apricot (Prunus armeniaca 'Blenheim') is a moderate-water fruit tree well suited to Tucson and the low desert. It thrives in full sun, with a moderate growth rate. Expect white to pale pink blooms Very early bloomer - typically late January/February.
Blenheim Apricot at a glance
- Water use
- Moderate (established)
- Sun
- Full sun (6+ hours).
- Mature size
- About 15-20 ft tall and wide if unpruned; commonly kept to 10-12 ft.
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Bloom
- White to pale pink, Very early bloomer - typically late January/February; fruit ripens late May into June.
- Cold hardiness
- Deciduous and cold-hardy in USDA 9a-9b. Its early bloom is the main risk: a late frost can kill open blossoms and wipe out that year's crop.
- Soil
- Needs well-drained soil; intolerant of soggy roots. Amend caliche and plant on a mound in Tucson.
- Native range
- Garden cultivar; species Prunus armeniaca native to Central Asia/China. 'Blenheim' is a classic California apricot.
- Best used as
- Fresh eating, Drying, Canning/preserves, Edible landscape
- Wildlife
- Early blossoms support bees; ripe fruit draws birds.
- Toxicity
- Pits, leaves, and bark contain cyanogenic glycosides (amygdalin), toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if ingested; fruit flesh is safe. Discard pits where pets cannot reach.
How to grow Blenheim Apricot in Tucson & the low desert
Watering
Deep soak to 3 ft on a cycle similar to other stone fruit: about every 7-10 days in peak summer, every 2-3 weeks spring/fall, monthly in winter; water more frequently the first two years. Consistent moisture through spring fruit development improves size and prevents drop.
Fertilizer & nutrients
Modest nitrogen (ammonium sulfate) after fruit set in spring; avoid over-fertilizing, which pushes soft growth. Apply iron/zinc chelate if leaves yellow in alkaline soil. Keep nitrogen off late summer.
Pruning & care
Prune in winter dormancy (Dec-Jan); apricots bear largely on short-lived spurs, so prune to renew fruiting wood and open the canopy. Light summer pruning can also control size in Tucson.
Notes
Caution for Tucson: Blenheim needs ~400+ chill hours, at the very top of the low desert's typical 300-400 hr range, so cropping is inconsistent and often light in mild winters. Self-fruitful. For more reliable apricots in Tucson, lower-chill 'Katy' or 'Gold Kist' (200-300 hr) are recommended alternatives. Plant bare-root Dec-Feb; thin fruit and whitewash the trunk to prevent sunburn.
Sources: University of Arizona Cooperative Extension - Deciduous Fruit and Nuts for the Low Desert (az1269): https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1269.pdf; Growing in the Garden - How to Grow Apricots in Arizona (Low Desert): https://growinginthegarden.com/how-to-grow-apricots-in-arizona/; LEAF Network AZ - Chill Hour Requirements: https://leafnetworkaz.org/resources/LEARN/Chill%20hour%20requirements.pdf