Moorpark Apricot (Prunus armeniaca ‘Moorpark’)
Moorpark is a heritage apricot renowned for producing some of the most intensely flavoured fruit of any cultivar, but it does bloom earlier than the other two varieties and therefore carries a slightly higher frost risk in cool climates. Despite this, when planted in a warm microclimate—such as the mid to upper NW slope of your property—Moorpark can produce outstanding fruit with rich, aromatic flesh ideal for fresh eating, drying, and jams. Its origins lie in Europe, where it performed well in regions with cool winters and warm summers. The tree prefers well-drained loamy soil and is less tolerant of heavy winter moisture; however, planting on a mound and improving the soil biology will mitigate this. Moorpark is partially self-fertile but yields best with another apricot nearby. The edible part is its sweet, juicy flesh, and it fills the sub-canopy role in your food forest, contributing mid-height structure. Propagation is best accomplished through grafting on compatible apricot or plum rootstocks to maintain fruit quality and disease tolerance, with fruiting occurring three to five years after establishment. Its guild companions include White Clover, Comfrey, Garlic, Yarrow, Calendula, Creeping Thyme, and Sweet Alyssum, which together improve soil texture, foster pollinator presence, and suppress fungal pathogens that apricots are prone to in humid climates.