Plant DetailShow Menu

Plants that fill a similar niche:
Prunus avium Tree
Prunus domestica Flower detail and leaves
Prunus persica var. nucipersica Prunus persica var. nucipersica
Prunus armeniaca has some common insect problems:
15. Tree Fruit and Nuts

Tibetan Apricot Prunus armeniaca

Previously known as:

  • Armeniaca vulgaris
Phonetic Spelling
PROO-nus ar-men-ee-AY-kah
This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

The apricot is a deciduous tree in the rose (Rosaceae) family. It is the most commonly cultivated species of apricot. The tree is native to Eastern Europe and western Asia. The Latin genus name means plum or cherry tree. The specific epithet means from Armenia, and Western Asia, but may have originated in China.

The apricot tree has a broad canopy with branches low to the ground. It is dense and can be 15 – 40 feet tall and wide. It should be planted at least 10 feet away from patios, water pipers, and sewer pipes. The winters must be chilly for the chilling requirements, and spring should be dry and frost-free. They prefer moist, well-drained soil in full sun. The apricot blooms in late winter or early spring so you should plant them in a protected area to minimize frost damage. Do not plant them in low-lying areas which could be a frost pocket. In the U.S., apricots are only grown commercially in California. There are different cultivars like ‘Goldcot’ and ‘Harcot’ that are late bloomers and are more frost-hardy for non-commercial users.

The fragrant flowers are usually solitary, 1” wide, and 5-petaled. The buds are pink turning white after blooming before the foliage appears. Most of the varieties are self-pollinating. The edible fruit is fleshy with a large pit (stone). The fruit is yellow to reddish in color which ripens in late June to July. The best fruit harvest occurs after 3 to 5 years.

The apricot tree is a high-maintenance plant. It requires regular pruning to remain healthy and to develop high-quality fruit. Fertilization should be done in early spring before new growth appears. Fallen debris (apricots, leaves, wood) should be cleared in addition to controlling the weeds and grasses around the tree. You can propagate cuttings or grafting onto rootstocks. Insects,

Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Pests include fruit tree leaf rollers, peach tree borers, aphids, squirrels, Japanese beetle, plum curculio, and mites. Brown rot is one of the major diseases. Other diseases include bacterial canker, bacterial leaf spot, and powdery mildew. Apricot trees are extremely susceptible to frost damage because they bloom in late winter or early spring.

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Wilson Delicious'
    Dwarf variety
'Wilson Delicious'
Tags:
#poisonous#edible plant#high maintenance#fruit tree#edible fruits#pollinator plant#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Wilson Delicious'
    Dwarf variety
'Wilson Delicious'
Tags:
#poisonous#edible plant#high maintenance#fruit tree#edible fruits#pollinator plant#larval host plant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly#frequent insect problems#frequent disease problems#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Prunus
    Species:
    armeniaca
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central Asia to Northern & Central China
    Wildlife Value:
    This is a larval host plant to Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). You may see three flights from February-November in the deep south and two flights from May-September in the north. Attracts insect pollinators and can be a food source for small mammals and birds
    Play Value:
    Edible fruit
    Edibility:
    Fruit edible raw, dried, or cooked.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 20 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Poisonous
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Broad
    Dense
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    High
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    NC Region:
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Width:
    1-3 inches
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit fleshy with a large pit (stone), yellow to reddish.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Flowers are usually solitary, 5-parted, white or pinkish and 1-1.5 inches across.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Smooth
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Ovate green leaves have serrated margins with 2 small glands at the base of the blade. 2-3.5 inches long and 1.5-3 inches wide. Base is rounded and tip is pointed.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Brown
    Dark Gray
    Light Brown
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Fissured
    Lenticels
    Bark Description:
    The bark is susceptible to many fungal diseases. The bark of the thinner branches and the trunk are very different in color and the presence of lenticels.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Lenticels:
    Conspicuous
    Stem Description:
    Parallel lenticels are prominent on twigs and branches
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Flowering Tree
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Problems:
    Frequent Disease Problems
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Medium
    Poison Symptoms:
    The pits contain cyanide compounds, which are poisonous. If a couple of pits are accidentally swallowed, it will not cause poisoning. The pits are more poisonous if they are ground up/crushed or the seeds are chewed. Fruit that has not been pitted should not be blended into a smoothie. Symptoms include Gasping, weakness, excitement, pupil dilation, spasms, convulsions, coma, respiratory failure.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Cyanogenic glycoside, amygdalin
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Seeds
    Stems