Helena du Roussillon is a late-ripening French apricot, with a firm juicy flesh when fully ripe. The skin is a light orange flecked with red.
This is a good variety for eating fresh, having less acid content and more sugar than most apricots.
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Order now for delivery from week commencing 4th November for pot grown trees or December for bare-root or mixed tree orders.
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Helena du Roussillon usually flowers in late March in the UK, which is slightly later than average. Like most apricots the blossom is pretty but short-lived - around 6 days. It is reliably self-fertile and generally disease-resistant.
For best results in the UK this variety must be grown in a sheltered spot in full sun, and generally does better in drier areas - you should aim to try to recreate a bit of the Mediterranean in your garden. Like all apricots the tree is cold-hardy, but for successful fruit production it needs good weather in early spring, and cold weather in late autumn.
As with many apricot varieties, if spring weather is good, the tree will frequently set too many fruitlets. Although this is a vigorous variety, it is important to thin the crop immediately after flowering has finished. Like most apricots this variety is drought-tolerant once established - but make sure you keep it well watered for the first few years.
Unlike many garden centres and online retailers, the vast majority of our fruit trees are grown in the UK. Find out more.
In addition, all our trees are certified under the Plant Healthy scheme, supervised by the Plant Health Alliance.
Other stakeholders include Defra and the RHS. The scheme aims to improve UK biosecurity by setting standards
for all growers and retailers involved in selling plants in the UK.
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When you buy your fruit tree from Orange Pippin Fruit Trees we guarantee it for the first season in your garden whilst it gets established. If it doesn't grow successfully, we'll either replace it the following season or offer a refund - subject to some conditions. Find out more.
This variety description was researched and written by Orange Pippin staff. Last checked: 2024.