Apricot
Prunus armeniaca
Blooms early, so it loves places where spring frost is gentle.
Hardiness: zones 5 to 8
Light: full sun
Size: about 12 ft tall, 12 ft wide
Harvest: June to July
From: Central Asia
Drought-hardy once established
Here: Hardy in the Lake Erie shore climate (zone 6b to 7a), so it can live outdoors in the ground.
Good for: food.
Native to: Central Asian steppe, East Asia, Himalaya & Indian hill country. Hardy in zones 5 to 8.
The story
Central Asia and China. 'Moorpark' is an old English variety dating to the 1760s. The species name armeniaca comes from Armenia, where Romans thought apricots began.
Planting
Full sun. Soil: well-drained (pH 6.5–7.5). Spacing: 15 ft. Pollination: self-fertile.
Growing
Water: moderate. Winter: Prune lightly in late winter or right after harvest. Spring: Blooms first of all the stone fruit, often in March. Cover it on frost nights while it's in flower. Summer: Thin fruit if it sets heavily. Fall: Trunk guard, since winter sun can split the bark on young trees.
Harvest and use
Harvest: July. First crop: 3–4 years.
What to watch for
Spring frost on blossoms, brown rot, bacterial spot.
See if Apricot fits your yard
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General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home