Prunus armeniaca 'REALE d'IMOLA'

Imola is a town in Italy renowned for the race track The Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari. It is close to Bologna in a region called Emilia-Romagna, possibly the most important Italian region for growing fruit trees. Reale d’Imola is an apricot tree which originated there in one of its orchards. It produces beautiful, oval fruit of deep orange fruit with heavy red russets. The flesh is aromatic and soft which makes it ideal for making jams, smoothies or ice cream, but is also great for fresh consumption (no shelf life). In C.E. climate it matures in early August and needs a warm location. It is self-fertile (needs no other tree to pollinate its flowers) and productive but will benefit from a different variety grown nearby.

Apricot trees are best with no pruning. Still, if you need to cut it do so after flowering when leaves are borne, or immediately after harvest. This way it will have enough time to produce new twigs and flower buds for the following year.

The tree grows rather vigorously into an upright canopy. It needs a sunny and warm place sheltered from strong winds, and good, humus-rich soil. Hardy to about -26°C (USDA zone 5b).

Last update 01-09-2020