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WE HAVE MOVED! Our new Location at 11 Ayrshire Crescent, Sandgate is open to the public every Saturday 8am - 2pm.
The Tilton apricot (Prunus armeniaca 'Tilton') is a highly productive, self-fertile heritage variety widely celebrated as the premier choice for canning, drying, freezing, and baking. Revered by home orchards and commercial growers alike, it is exceptionally dependable due to its vigorous growth habit and a bloom time that offers a bit more resilience against late spring frosts than other varieties.
Fruit Colour: Light orange skin. Firm, golden-yellow flesh that holds its shape beautifully when cooked, though it can lean on the drier side when eaten fresh.
Fruit Shape: Distinctive heart-shaped or slightly flattened fruit with characteristic deep suture line
Fruit Size: Medium to large,
Flavour: A rich balance of sweet and tangy flavors with a strong aroma.
Fruit Season: Late-season variety, typically ripening early February.
Cropping Habit: Self-fertile; a single tree will produce heavy yields on its own. The Tilton is a prolific bearer and will overproduce. Heavy crops must be thinned early in the season to ensure good fruit size and prevent limb breakage
Best Uses: Tilton is widely considered the premier variety for canning, drying, and baking.
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate to high during fruit development
Watering frequency: Regular; consistent moisture required during flowering and fruit swell for best fruit quality. Keep the soil consistently moist until the root system is well-established.
Soil: Prefers deep, well-draining, fertile soil; highly intolerant of wet feet or boggy conditions.
Skill level: Easy-Intermediate
Growth rate: Moderate
Suitable for container gardens: Yes, suitable for large containers with pruning and care.
Mature Height: 4.5–9m (easily maintained at a manageable 4m through pruning)
Mature Width: 4.5 to 7.5m
Seasonality: Deciduous
Drought Tolerant: Moderate—high once established.
Frost Tolerant: Moderate (Tree). Requires 600 to 700 hours below 7°C (45°F).
Wind Tolerant: Low. Like most stone fruits, its wood is relatively soft and brittle. High or sustained winds can easily snap branches, stress the tree, and strip the fruit.
Leaf colour: Glossy medium-to-dark green on the upper surface during the spring and summer; and during autumn, leaves shift to a bright yellow or golden hue.
Leaf Variegation pattern: No
Size of leaf: 5-10cm
The Tilton apricot (Prunus armeniaca 'Tilton') is a highly productive, self-fertile heritage variety widely celebrated as the premier choice for canning, drying, freezing, and baking. Revered by home orchards and commercial growers alike, it is exceptionally dependable due to its vigorous growth habit and a bloom time that offers a bit more resilience against late spring frosts than other varieties.
Fruit Colour: Light orange skin. Firm, golden-yellow flesh that holds its shape beautifully when cooked, though it can lean on the drier side when eaten fresh.
Fruit Shape: Distinctive heart-shaped or slightly flattened fruit with characteristic deep suture line
Fruit Size: Medium to large,
Flavour: A rich balance of sweet and tangy flavors with a strong aroma.
Fruit Season: Late-season variety, typically ripening early February.
Cropping Habit: Self-fertile; a single tree will produce heavy yields on its own. The Tilton is a prolific bearer and will overproduce. Heavy crops must be thinned early in the season to ensure good fruit size and prevent limb breakage
Best Uses: Tilton is widely considered the premier variety for canning, drying, and baking.
Light requirement: Full sun
Water requirement: Moderate to high during fruit development
Watering frequency: Regular; consistent moisture required during flowering and fruit swell for best fruit quality. Keep the soil consistently moist until the root system is well-established.
Soil: Prefers deep, well-draining, fertile soil; highly intolerant of wet feet or boggy conditions.
Skill level: Easy-Intermediate
Growth rate: Moderate
Suitable for container gardens: Yes, suitable for large containers with pruning and care.
Mature Height: 4.5–9m (easily maintained at a manageable 4m through pruning)
Mature Width: 4.5 to 7.5m
Seasonality: Deciduous
Drought Tolerant: Moderate—high once established.
Frost Tolerant: Moderate (Tree). Requires 600 to 700 hours below 7°C (45°F).
Wind Tolerant: Low. Like most stone fruits, its wood is relatively soft and brittle. High or sustained winds can easily snap branches, stress the tree, and strip the fruit.
Leaf colour: Glossy medium-to-dark green on the upper surface during the spring and summer; and during autumn, leaves shift to a bright yellow or golden hue.
Leaf Variegation pattern: No
Size of leaf: 5-10cm