Apricot

Grafted apricots on St Julien A or Torinel rootstock are fairly quick off the mark, often producing a first crop in their third or fourth year. The real challenge in cooler climates is not the wait but the very early blossom — apricots flower before most other fruit trees and are vulnerable to late frosts, so a south-facing wall or fleece protection makes all the difference. They are self-fertile, so a single tree will crop, and once established they can be wonderfully productive.