Cold hardiness

Future

2050

2100

These values are location-based: this location's current hardiness is the baseline, and the 2050 value is a projected future climate for this same location.

Now

Zone 6b

USDA

Published baseline for this location from 1991-2020.

Source: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 (1991-2020 climatology) via ArcGIS FeatureServer

Well-suited

2050

Zone 7a

Plotwright

Projected zone for this same location in 2050 (2041-2070) using SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry).

Well-suited

In plain terms: This location is in Zone 6b today. Its hardiness profile is cold winters, and coldest nights are typically around -3°F. By 2050, the projected hardiness zone is Zone 7a based on SSP3-7.0 (regional rivalry). That is a +0.5-zone shift from Zone 6b to Zone 7a by 2050.

✓

Well-suited today and still thriving in 2050.

Heat tolerance

Future

2050

2100

Heat tolerance values are location-based too: heat days today are observed at this site, and the 2050 value projects this same location under a future climate.

Loading AHS heat-zone data for this location...

Where this plant fits

Suitable across 40 ecoregions — 34 climate-resilient through 2070 · 5 suited today · 1 newly possible by 2070. Best matches first.

Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests

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Appalachian-Blue Ridge forests

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Arizona Mountains forests

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Blue Mountains forests

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Canadian Aspen forests and parklands

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Central Pacific Northwest coastal forests

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Central Tallgrass prairie

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Central-Southern Cascades Forests

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Colorado Rockies forests

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Cross-Timbers savanna-woodland

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What it needs

Conditions

Light

Full sun

Water

Moderate water

Spacing

240"

Habit

Small spreading deciduous fruit tree (dwarf to standard depending on rootstock)

Care tips

•

Site in a sheltered, frost-protected spot — the early bloom is the single biggest reason apricots fail to crop.

•

Pick a dwarf-rootstock tree (8-10 ft) for an easier-to-prune, spray, and harvest frame that still bears full-size fruit.

•

Give full sun and well-drained, moisture-retentive soil; expect a high-maintenance pruning and spray schedule.

Lifecycle

Planting

Plant in average, medium-moisture, well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers moisture-retentive soil with good drainage. Site in a sheltered spot (e.g. sloping ground on the south side of a building) and avoid low-lying frost pockets, since the early bloom is highly frost-susceptible (Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder).

Transplanting

Move only when young and dormant, preserving as much of the root ball as the container or B&B size allows; mature fruit trees rarely transplant cleanly.

Early growth

Water deeply through the first few seasons to establish; mulch a wide ring without burying the trunk flare. Expect high maintenance — regular pruning, spraying, and harvest.

Maturity

Mature trees reach 15-20 ft as a standard or 8-10 ft on dwarfing rootstock (Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder), with white spring bloom and golden-orange summer drupes. Dwarf trees bear full-size fruit on a more manageable frame.

Propagation

Cultivars are nursery-grafted onto selected rootstock (standard or dwarfing) and do not come true from seed; verify rootstock and propagation status before recommending.

Pollination

Self-fertile

Most apricot cultivars are self-fertile — a single tree can set fruit without a second pollinizer, unlike many other Prunus. Bees still improve fruit set, and a few specific cultivars do benefit from a partner; verify the cultivar before relying on a lone tree. The Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder species page does not assign a separate pollinizer requirement.

Plants don't grow alone

Nectar forage

Bee

European honeybee (Apis mellifera)

The fragrant early-spring flowers offer nectar and pollen to honey bees and other early-season foragers; bee visitation improves apricot fruit set.

Fruit forage

Bird

Eastern songbirds (multi-species) (multiple species (Passeriformes))

Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder lists Prunus armeniaca as attracting birds; the ripe summer drupes are taken by songbirds.

For people

Edible

Grown primarily for its edible fruit — the golden-orange drupes are eaten fresh, dried, or preserved (Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder rates the fruit "Showy, Edible"). As with other Prunus, the kernels/seeds, leaves, and bark contain cyanogenic compounds and should not be eaten in quantity; the flesh is the edible part.

Native range

AHS heat range

1-9

Climate notes

•

Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder lists Prunus armeniaca for USDA zones 5-8 in full sun with medium water, blooming white in April and bearing showy, edible fruit.

•

Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder notes the standard tree reaches 15-20 ft while dwarf-rootstock grafts stay 8-10 ft, both bearing full-size fruit; maintenance is rated High.

•

Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder cautions that apricots are difficult to crop reliably because their early flowers (about two weeks ahead of peaches) are extremely frost-susceptible and the trees face insect and disease pressure. Site in a sheltered spot and avoid low-lying frost pockets.

In the designer

Growth over time

96-240" tall · 96-240" spread

Mature spreading canopy with full bloom + fruit set in frost-free springs.

Design roles: Focal point · Edible · Structure

Seasonal interest

Spring

Summer

Fall

Winter

Filled = the plant has seasonal interest · ▾ now = your current season

Apricot

At a glance

Related products

Why it matters

Cold hardiness

Heat tolerance

Where this plant fits

What it needs

Lifecycle

Pollination

Plants don't grow alone

For people

Native range

Climate notes

In the designer

Seasonal interest

Sources & citations