Aprium

Aprium fruits are very sweet with bright orange, juicy flesh. The flavour is like an apricot with hints of raspberry and plum. The skin is smooth with a light fuzz. They are delicious if eaten fresh from the tree and can also be used in puddings and preserves. They are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, as well as calcium, iron and protein.

Developed in the 1980s, Aprium fruits are the result of a complex breeding programme that takes many years. Several different Aprium cultivars have been created since then using various parents. This offers a choice to growers of varieties that ripen at different times throughout the season and have subtly different flavours.

The botanical name for Aprium fruits is identified as Prunus armeniaca x Prunus salicina. They are roughly 75% apricot and 25% plum.

In the UK, they grow best in a sunny, sheltered position. They can also be trained against a wall. All varieties are self-fertile so it is not necessary to plant a pollination partner to get a good crop. Most varieties will ripen in late August or early September. The spring blossom is a very pretty addition to any garden.