Apricot Fitzroy
Notify MePrunus armeniaca Fitzroy is a reliable, mid-season apricot variety developed in New Zealand, valued for its sweet, richly flavoured fruit and excellent versatility. The medium to large apricots are deep orange with a light blush, featuring juicy, firm flesh ideal for eating fresh, preserving, or baking. Flowering in early to mid-spring, Fitzroy ripens in late summer and offers consistent yields.
A strong option for home orchards, family gardens, and productive plantings. Complements Mediterranean, cottage, and edible garden designs.
Prefers a warm, sheltered position with full sun and free-draining, fertile soil. Protect from late spring frosts and maintain even moisture during fruit development. Space trees 3–4 metres apart to allow for healthy canopy development.
Mature size: Reaches 4–5 metres tall with a rounded, spreading shape.
Trimming: Prune in late summer, immediately after harvest, to shape the tree and remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches. Avoid winter pruning, as apricots are vulnerable to bacterial canker when pruned in cold, wet conditions.
Deadheading: Not applicable for fruit trees.
Fertilising: Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring as growth begins. Switch to a potassium-rich fertiliser during fruit development to support flowering and enhance fruit quality. Mulch annually with compost or well-rotted manure, keeping it clear of the trunk.
Watering: Water regularly during the first 1–2 years and during prolonged dry periods—especially from spring to midsummer when fruit is developing. Avoid waterlogging by ensuring good drainage.
Pest Control: Watch for aphids, thrips, and leafroller caterpillars. Treat infestations with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Protect ripening fruit from birds with netting if needed.
Disease Management: Prone to brown rot and bacterial canker. Remove and destroy infected fruit and branches. Prune during dry weather to minimise disease spread, and maintain good airflow through the canopy. Apply copper-based fungicide in late winter as a preventative measure.
Enjoy complimentary delivery anywhere in mainland New Zealand when you purchase plants worth $250 or more*.
For orders below $250, the following flat-rate delivery charges are applicable:
- Urban delivery within mainland New Zealand: $19.95
- Rural delivery within mainland New Zealand: $39.95
- Waiheke, Chatham and Great Barrier Islands: Please contact us for shipping options.
We aim to have all orders shipped within 14 days from the order date, unless a different shipping date is specified alongside a product.
