Prunus armeniaca Midsummer. One of the best-tasting of the Harrow series of hardy apricots, but not quite as cold tolerant as others. Drips with sweet juice. Z4/5.
Prunus armeniaca Mid-late summer. Multipurpose sweet freestone variety is good for fresh eating, canning and drying. Most cold hardy of the Harrow series. Z4.
Prunus mandshurica Extremely hardy drought-resistant tree native to northeast China, far east Russia and Korea. Useful in breeding new frost-resistant varieties. Fruit is of variable eating quality. Z3.
Prunus × dasycarpa Cross between apricot and myrobalan plum. Rare. Makes flavorful dried fruit that rivals dried mango. Tangy, sweet, satisfying. Z6; worth trialing in Z4/5.
Prunus armeniaca Summer. Small roundish yellow-orange apricot with a red blush. Smooth juicy freestone flesh with a mild sweet flavor. Extremely hardy. Z3.
Prunus armeniaca Mid-late summer. From Iran, these apricots are sugary with large sweet edible almond-like pits. Very hardy and worth trialing in the Northeast. Z3.
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Apricots Prunus armeniaca
Apricots are native to central Asia and have been cultivated there for about 4000 years. Although trees are very hardy, large crops of fruit have been dicey in Maine because bloom time is so early. Consider planting them with northern exposures to delay flowering and improve chances of fruit set. The zone rating should be viewed as an approximation because much depends on your site. As climate changes, we’re seeing good crops on later-blooming varieties in our region; planting apricots seems more worthwhile these days. Please let us know if you’ve had success.
Growing Apricots
Soil: Prefers well-drained fertile soil.
Sun: Full.
Pollination: Self-pollinating.
Spacing: 15-20' apart.
Planting: Consider a site with northern exposure to delay flowering. See our planning and planting and pests and diseases pages for instructions on soil prep, planting and pest control.
