2 named cultivars

fruit vegetable

Apricot

Prunus armeniaca

$100.95

The Story

Plant Bio

Prunus armeniaca, the apricot, is a broad dense deciduous fruit tree from Central Asia and northern China, reaching twenty to forty feet on its own roots. Pink-flushed white flowers open on bare branches very early in spring, ovate serrated leaves follow, and fleshy yellow to reddish fruit with a large stone ripens in midsummer.

It flowers earlier than almost any other fruit tree, often in late winter, and that is its central problem in most of the country — a normal spring frost destroys the entire crop on open blossom. Plant it on a north-facing slope or a cool aspect to hold the buds back, and expect a good crop only in some years.

Uses & Benefits:

Pink-flushed white blossom on bare branches at the very start of spring, on a broad dense frame.

Heavy crops of fruit for eating fresh, drying, cooking and preserving in the years frost spares it.

A larval host for eastern tiger swallowtail, and the very early blossom feeds emerging pollinators.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Fruit Vegetable

Height

360 inches

Width

360 inches

Light

Full Sun

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Low to moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Central Asia to northern China

Toxicity

Fruit edible; leaves and kernels toxic

Marketplace

Where to Buy

Fast Growing Trees

In Stock$100.95

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Planting

How to Grow

Plant in full sun in well-drained soil.
Choose a cool or north-facing aspect to delay flowering.
Avoid frost pockets and low-lying ground.
Thin young fruit to improve size and prevent breakage.
Prune only in dry summer weather, never in winter.
Remove damaged wood promptly to limit canker.

Pro Tip

A cool north-facing aspect delays flowering by a week or more, which is often the difference between a crop and a frosted one.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Site it on a cool aspect to delay bloom ❄️
Prune only in dry summer weather ✂️
Thin the young fruit in early summer 🍑
Keep the trunk free of mower wounds 🛡️

Don't

Plant it in a frost pocket ❌
Prune in winter or wet weather ❌
Eat the kernels inside the stones ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Prune
Thin

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Home orchard and fruit gardenVery early blossom featureButterfly and pollinator planting

Companion Plants

Comfrey Chives Daffodil Borage Nasturtium

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Apricot questions

What zones can Apricot grow in?

Apricot is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Apricot deer resistant?

Yes — Apricot is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Apricot bloom?

Apricot typically blooms in very early spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Apricot need full sun?

Apricot does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Apricot drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Apricot handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.