Apricots originate from China, but have been adapted to be grown in many climates. Known for their explosions or early white or light pink blossoms (also colloquially called popcorn in Utah & Southern Idaho), apricots make beautiful landscape trees with the added bonus of bushels of tasty fruits in mid-summer. Their glossy, spade shaped leaves add to their attractive appearance spring through fall.
Because apricots flower so early, their tender buds and blossoms are especially susceptible to frost damage in areas where late frosts are common. Most apricots are self-fruitful, but there are a few common varieties that require a second tree for pollinating (must be a different variety). Whether you want beautiful early blossoms, a handsome summertime tree, fruit, or attractive fall color, apricots will provide them all.
Location
Open site in full sun, with good air circulation. Apricots do best in landscape or garden locations and not in lawn, which needs a different water and fertilizer regimen. Since they produce very early blossoms, they perform best if given some protection from cold late-winter and early-spring winds.
Soil
Deep garden, loamy soil works best - well drained, not soggy. Avoid heavy clay or overly sandy soils.
Planting
See bare root and container planting guide.
Water
To ensure steady fruit development from bloom to harvest, make sure to provide regular water throughout the growing season - usually a deep watering every 5-10 days depending on heat and sun exposure. As the fruit begins to ripen and approach harvest, cut back on watering to prevent fruit splitting.
Fertilizer
Use a balanced fertilizer in early spring with micronutrients to maintain consistent growth and fruit production. We recommend Anderson’s Best, That’s All It Takes, Fertilome Fruit, Nut and Pecan food, or Natural Guard Organic Fruit and Citrus Fertilizer. A good rule of thumb is to use 1/2 to 1 pound of fertilizer per inch of trunk diameter (2 cups generally equals 1 pound). Spread fertilizer evenly around the drip line of the tree.
Pruning
Once the trees have matured and have been trained into an open vase shape, they require some pruning each season. Each year remove any damaged or diseased branches. This can be done any time after bloom or during dormant season. Each spring take out select amounts of old wood to encourage new wood development. When pruning, keep in mind that apricots bear fruit on short spurs that form on the previous year’s growth and remain fruitful for up to 4 years. Too much pruning can significantly decrease the tree’s productivity. Also, see our pruning guide for more pruning instructions for stone fruits.
Harvest & Yield
When harvesting, pick the fruit when it has colored up and when it has softened slightly. Apricots mature at irregular intervals and fall easily from the tree when they ripen too much, so plan on picking multiple times a week during harvest season. Most apricots ripen mid-summer. Each tree will usually produce
60-100 pounds of fruit depending on location, fertilizer, variety and rootstock.
Pests
Aphids are the most common insect to attack apricot trees each summer. To best control the aphids, use a dormant spray/fungicide combo during the late dormant season or even just as the buds start to swell in early spring. During the growing season, even right up until harvest, apply a general-purpose insecticide as needed. Fertilome Fruit Tree Spray (organic), Sevin, or Malathion are all excellent insecticides for the job. Lady Bugs will also do a great job at controlling aphid outbreaks.
Blossom blight, shot-hole fungus, and brown rot are some of the most common diseases that affect apricots. Prevent disease by starting the season with a dormant spray/fungicide combination. Next, apply a general-purpose fungicide right after blossom drop. To prevent shot-hole fungus and blossom blight, continue to apply fungicide every 2 weeks during the cool, wet season of spring. It is essential to spray again in the fall, at about 25% leaf drop to stop these harmful diseases from permanently damaging your trees. For a good general-purpose fungicide, we recommend Copper Soap, F-Stop by Fertilome or
Complete Disease Control from Monterey.
Varieties
Blenheim
The Blenheim is prized for eating fresh, canning, and drying. The apricot ripens from the inside out causing fruit pickers to develop specific harvesting habits for the apricot that included picking fruits that still had a faint green tinge. It is considered to be the most succulent and flavorful of the apricots. These are very durable trees.
- Mature Height: 12'-18'
- Mature Spread: 6'-10'
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
- Flavor: Sweet, tart (early on), aromatic
- Cooking/Storage: Very good for both
- Bloom Period: Early
- Pollinator Required: No, self-fertile.
- Harvest Period: Early July
- Zones: 5a-9
Chinese (Mormon)
This is a tough apricot that is a fairly late bloomer making it a good one for Northern climates where spring frosts can be unpredictable. This late-bearing variety produces good quality, medium to small sized fruit with a yellow-orange color. Thinning will ensure maximum size in the fruit.
- Mature Height: 10'-15'
- Mature Spread: 10'-15'
- Sun Exposure: Full to partial sun
- Flavor: Sweet, mild
- Cooking/Storage: Good for both
- Bloom Period: Late spring
- Pollinator Required: No, self-fertile. Good pollinator
- Harvest Period: Late June to early July
- Zones: 5a-8
Moopark
This is a variety with a juicy, sweet flesh that is fantastic fresh or can be used fro cooking, canning, or drying. It is a self-pollinating tree, but produces even better when another variety of apricots, peaches, or nectarines is nearby. The fruit are freestone and are larger than your typical variety. They are fast growing tees that require little or no maintenance, and they're tolerant of most soils and growing conditions. A more reliable producer than others.
- Mature Height: 15'-20'
- Mature Spread: 15'-20'
- Sun Exposure: Sun
- Flavor: Sweet
- Cooking/Storage: Both
- Bloom Period: Early to mid-spring
- Pollinator Required: No, self-fertile.
- Harvest Period: Late-June into August
- Zones: 4-8
Tilton
Tilton is the leading variety for freezing, drying, and canning. It retains its color even after drying. It is different looking from most other apricots in that it is slightly flat in shape. This long-time favorite is one of the most flavorful with juicy, sweet-tart flavor. It has a light orange skin with a red blush. It is vigorous and bears heavy crops.
- Mature Height: 12'-15'
- Mature Spread: 10'-15'
- Sun Exposure: Full/Partial
- Flavor: Sweet/tart
- Cooking/Storage: Great for storage. Also good for cooking.
- Bloom Period: Early April
- Pollinator Required: No
- Harvest Period: Early July
- Zones: 5-9
Wenatchee Moorpark
Wenatchee produces beautiful, large, light yellow apricots. It is a good annual producer and its flavorful fruit is widely used for drying and home canning. The blooms of a Wenatchee apricot tree are very early, so this sometimes is a difficult tree to grow in areas of late frost. Best production is made in well drained and moderately fertile soils.
- Mature Height: 12'-15'
- Mature Spread: 12'-15'
- Sun Exposure: Full/partial
- Flavor: Sweet
- Cooking/Storage: Great for storage. Good for cooking.
- Bloom Period: Early April
- Pollinator Required: No
- Harvest Period: Early July
- Zones: 5-9
Perfection
Perfection bears moderately early and produces large, sweet, and juicy fruit. The flesh and skin are a bright orange-yellow and the fruit has a firm texture. It is cold hardy and has an excellent taste. It is freestone. Good for canning, drying, freezing, cooking, and baking.
- Mature Height: 12'-15'
- Mature Spread: 12'-15'
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Flavor: Sweet
- Cooking/Storage: Great for canning
- Bloom Period: Early
- Pollinator Required: Yes
- Harvest Period: Early July
- Zones: 4-8