Apricots are a delicious fruit that is loved by many. They are the perfect summertime snack, and they can be used to make tasty jams and preserves. Apricot trees produce apricots year-round, which is excellent for people who love baking or cooking with apricots all year long!
If you’re looking for the best varieties of apricot trees to grow in your backyard, keep reading this article for more information on these beautiful plants!
Apricots can grow in zones four to nine, and they require total sun exposure for best growth. Apricots will produce fruit from the end of June through September!
These plants need at least two hours of water a week during dry spells but should be watered more often if there is no rain for more extended periods. You must fertilize your apricot tree once or twice each year with an organic fertilizer like cottonseed meal or compost tea.
Cold Hardy Apricot Trees
Moorpark
Moorpark or Moor Park apricot trees are suitable for zones five to nine. These apricots are self-pollinating, so you won’t need two trees to get fruit!
This variety of apricots grows well in most climates and produces sweet tasting fruit on a small tree with drooping branches. This makes it perfect for those who prefer not to use any support when planting their tree – or even if you just don’t have space for a large tree!
Moorpark is an icy hardy variety of apricot trees that can stand up to winter frosts – but you must protect from frost during the first year after planting.
Nemaguard
Nemaguard apricots are self-pollinating and will produce sweet, juicy fruit perfect for fresh eating or canning. These trees grow well in zones six to nine, and they’re resistant to pests like scab disease, anthracnose fungus, many diseases of stone fruits such as peach leaf curl, apple rusts which all make nemaguards an excellent choice if you live in this zone.
They also have medium-sized leaves with a dark green color year-round and do not suffer from iron chlorosis – making them ideal if your soil is on the acidic side.
Bing Cherry Apricot Tree
Largest fruiting cherry variety around! The Bing Cherry Apricot Tree will grow well in zone four through eight and produces large fruits on short branches with lower limbs. This tree requires adequate room due to its size, so be sure not to plant where there may be any space issues later down the road.
This is a vigorous variety of apricot trees that require much pruning to keep it in check. If you want an organic version, then this is the right choice for you!
Saratoga Apricot Tree
The Saratoga Apricot Tree grows well in zone five through nine and produces fruit year-round. This tree has high vigor and will grow quickly – but may need some support with climbing vines if grown on a fence or wall.
This apricot tree is also self-pollinating, so no worries about planting two trees next to each other! The fruit from the Saratoga is larger than most varieties at up to one pound per piece.
Poppicot
The Poppicot apricot tree is another variety that requires a lot of pruning to keep it in check. But this one can grow well into zone seven through nine and also produces fruit year-round!
This apricot tree does prefer more fertile soil but will produce delicious, large fruits up to four inches long.
The flavor from the Poppicot’s fruit is sweet and rich – even when the weather is hot or cold, which makes them perfect for any time of year!
Aprium Apricots Tree
If you have space limitations or simply do not want an overly vigorous planting, choose Apriums as your variety. These trees are between twelve feet high at maturity but still provide plenty of fruit for your family to enjoy.
Apriums are also one of the best apricot tree varieties for colder climates, producing fruit from zone four through nine. They require very little pruning, but that leaves them open to disease and pests, so be sure to keep an eye on these trees!
Chenango Apricots Tree
The Chenango is perfect if you love having a variety of fruits in your garden at any given time because this tree will produce both peaches and apricots starting as early as July until October or November, depending on where they are grown.
This hardy plant prefers warmer climates (zone six through nine)and does well with fertilizers.
Puget Gold
These apricot trees come from the Pacific Northwest and are self-pollinating as well. The fruit is slightly smaller than the Saratoga apricot but has excellent flavor and can be harvested in early to mid-July!
Loring
These trees produce medium-sized, flavorful apricots that grow best in zones five through nine. They have very cold hardy roots, making them an ideal choice for areas where winters get chilly – this will ensure they continue to do well year after year!