Prunus dulcis Lauranne - Almond Tree

The Almond Tree 'Lauranne' is a French self-fertile variety, which means it produces fruit without the need to plant another tree nearby. This variety is also attractive due to its good hardiness and late flowering, which reduces the risk of frost. Easy to grow, it bears fruit quickly and abundantly, regularly from year to year. The hard-shelled fruits are of good quality and suitable for all traditional uses. Ornamental for its beautiful pinkish-white flowering, this small tree is well suited to Mediterranean gardens and can be planted in a much wider area. It is well resistant to drought and calcareous soil, thriving in full sun in well-drained soil.

The cultivated Almond Tree (Prunus dulcis, or Prunus amygdalus) belongs to the vast family of Rosaceae, just like most fruit trees from temperate and Mediterranean zones (Apple Trees, Apricot Trees...), numerous wild plants from the countryside, and countless ornamental plants (Roses, Serviceberries...). The tree is native to the mountains of Afghanistan and Turkestan and was later cultivated in Persia (Iran). Passing through Asia Minor and then Greece, it reached Italy in the 3rd century BC. There are sweet almond trees and bitter almond trees, the latter being toxic.
'Lauranne' is a French variety obtained in 1978 by INRA (National Institute for Agricultural Research, now INRAE), through cross-breeding between the varieties 'Ferragnes' (vigorous and not self-fertile) and 'Tuono' (an ancient Italian variety from Apulia that is self-fertile). The result is particularly interesting, as it combines all the qualities one might hope for in this fruit tree. This variety is therefore less vigorous and better suited to small gardens. With a spreading, slightly trailing habit, its growth is rapid at first but then slows down, resulting in a small deciduous tree of 3.50 to 4.50 m in all directions. The narrow and elongated, lanceolate leaves measure 7 to 10 cm long and are a beautiful medium green, with a slightly glossy upper surface. The tree is self-fertile and can therefore be planted alone, as its flowering will produce fruit. It flowers late, around mid-March, thus reducing the risk of damage from late frost, as at this stage, the flower is very sensitive (it scorches at around -2°C). The single flowers, approximately 3 cm in diameter, are white with a slight pink tinge and rival the beauty of ornamental Rosaceae (Flowering Apples, Flowering Prunus...). After fertilisation, they develop into hard-shelled almonds, covered by a light green husk and of medium size. They can be consumed fresh or, more traditionally, dried, they begin ripening towards the end of September and continue for about a month. Fruit-bearing begins at around three years, and the almond kernels can be used in cooking, for confectionery, nougat, pralines... They have a taste reminiscent of pine nuts with a slight peppery hint.

The Almond Tree 'Lauranne', thanks to its hardiness and late flowering, can be planted beyond the classic Mediterranean zone, in well-drained soil, in full sun and sheltered from the wind. To maintain an exotic touch, plant alongside it a Hardy Fig Tree that will provide you with delicious fruits. Accompany it with the 'Parfianka' Pomegranate, which is also resistant to around -15°C and will reward you with large fruits with few pips, and burgundy juice. To complete your little orchard with southern accents, add a Ziziphus jujuba 'Abundance', a Jujube whose exotic appearance will surprise and whose original fruits you can enjoy in autumn.