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Tlor Tsiran main item image
Black_apricot.jpg by Feles gracilis is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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Tlor Tsiran Apricot

bare-root trees
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$39.50
Item: 7386-A
stock details: 3–6' bare-root trees
Prunus × dasycarpa
Summer, deep reddish purple skin, crimson orange flesh.

Rare in the nursery trade, its origins are mysterious. Known as a black apricot, this is a selection of a naturally occurring cross between an apricot (Prunus armeniaca) and myrobalan plum (Prunus cerasifera). 

Ripened on the tree, the deep red-purple skin of this small 1" oval fragrant fruit has mild fuzz, and the flesh is crimson-orange. We first encountered it on a tour of Highmoor Farms in Maine where Pat McManus shared some she had dried. What a burst of flavor! Think plum-infused apricot hard candy! Tangy, sweet, satisfying and hard to stop eating—our local answer to dried mango.

Ripens mid-late August in central Maine. Yields can be modest and mixed, but worth the trial and wait. Uncertain pollination requirements; may be self-fruitful, but plant with plums and other apricots. White blooms in spring. The tree is very winter hardy but the fruit buds are Zone 6. Worth trialing in Zone 4-5 for those years when late frost is not an issue.

Maine Grown.
ships in spring
Quick Details
Harvest Season
summer
Maine Grown
Yes
Skin Color
deep reddish purple
Flesh Color
crimson orange
Hardy to Zone
4
Compare
Compare with other Apricots
Variety Product Type Harvest Season Maine Grown Skin Color Flesh Color Hardy to Zone
Blenheim bare-root trees midsummer Yes red-speckled orange 5
Harcot bare-root trees midsummer yellow-orange 4
Hargrande bare-root trees midsummer orange 5
Harlayne bare-root trees mid-late summer orange 4
Harostar™ bare-root trees midsummer bright orange 4
Morden 604 bare-root trees mid-late summer Yes yellow 3
Tlor Tsiran bare-root trees summer Yes deep reddish purple crimson orange 4
Westcot bare-root trees summer Yes yellow-orange 3
Additional Information

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.

Shipping

Items from our perennial plants warehouse ship from early March through mid-to-late May, weather depending, beginning with warmer USDA zones.