Bergeron
Prunus armeniaca Bergeron is the classic French apricot variety, and a common sight in French markets in early summer (although in England it will not ripen until August). However as with most commercial apricots it is invariably picked under-ripe, and the flavour is generally a poor comparison to what is possible with home-grown fruit.
Bergeron is one of the larger-fruited apricots, and often has an attractive orange-flushed skin.
Bergeron apricots can be eaten fresh, but apricots are also a versatile culinary fruit, and Bergeron is the perfect choice for a French-style "tarte aux abricots".
Bergeron apricot trees for sale
1-year bare-root
tree
on Weiwa rootstock£38.75
Mature height: 3m-5m after 10 years
Can be trained on to become a large free-standing fruit tree, or a half-standard fruit tree, or a large fan-trained fruit tree.
Available next season
Growing and Training
Bergeron is one of the last apricots to flower, even so the blossom emerges very early in the spring and can be susceptible to frost, so choose a sunny sheltered site. For this reason it is best to avoid west, east or north-facing positions.
It is also somewhat susceptible to plum pox virus (also known as Sharka virus). It is important to keep pruning to an absolute minimum, and only prune in late spring.
Like most apricots, Bergeron is surprisingly cold-hardy and with protection can tolerate very cold winter temperatures. However it is helpful to keep the rain off it over the autumn and winter if you can.
History
Bergeron was found as a chance-seedling growing in the Rhone valley in the 1920s. Today it accounts for about 25% of French apricot production.
Bergeron characteristics
- Gardening skillExperienced
- Self-fertile?Self-fertile
- Pick seasonMid
- Picking periodlate August
- Food usesEating freshCulinaryDual purpose
- Country of originFrance
- Period of origin1900 - 1949
- Fruit colourOrange
More about apricot trees
Frankly, apricot trees are not that easy to grow in the UK. Our summers are not always hot enough, our spring weather is often too wet, and our winters are not cold enough. However with luck and care they make a really interesting addition to the home orchard.
For best results plant apricot trees in a sheltered spot in full sun, or train them as fans against a south-facing wall or fence. Well-drained soil is best, avoid areas where water pools over the winter. Avoid pruning apricot trees if you can, but promptly cut back and remove any signs of dieback on branches.
It's then just a matter of hoping for a nice sunny spring and a hot dry summer, followed by a nice cold winter! All apricots are self-fertile so you only need to plant one (although planting several different ones together will improve the crop). If you find there are lots of fruitlets after the blossom has finished, be ruthless in thinning them out - you will get a better crop and better flavours as a result.
Apricots also have excellent nutritional and medicinal properties, and contain more concentrations of beneficial compounds than most other fruit. They are one of the best natural sources of Vitamin A.
