THE ORNAMENTAL APRICOT

Of all the fruit trees, apricot is one of the most ornamental. The foliage is especially beautiful. Initially bronze when it first opens, it becomes dark green as it matures.

Unfortunately most apricot trees are very sensitive to late spring frosts since it blooms rather early. However several of the newer varieties can tolerate more frost or bloom later.

According to George Washington, the trees bloomed in late March at Mt. Vernon.

To minimize frost damage, choose a planting site carefully. Plant on the tops or the sides of hills if possible. Another suitable spot would be near the base of mountains, high hills, or near large lakes.

Most soils are suitable for apricot provided the trees receive adequate water and fertilizer. The exception is heavy, poorly drained soils.

Apricots are susceptible to verticillium wilt, a fungus that can live in the soil for years. For that reason, avoid planting them in spots where tomatoes or brambles have been grown.

Naturally dwarf apricot trees are best for most gardens, as the standard ones will need more space. Dwarf trees are usually about eight feet tall and wide.

When choosing an apricot variety, select one suited to your hardiness zone. Some are only hardy in zones 6-9. For pot culture, Starks' Goldenglo is a very good choice. Hardy in zones 5-8, it only grows four to six feet tall. Be sure to give this and all container-grown trees the chill requirement they need.

The flowering apricot (Prunus mume) is an exceptionally beautiful fruit tree. In very early spring it is covered with fragrant, delicate light pink flowers. Hardy in zones 6-10, this self-pollinating tree is prone to frost damage. The Kobai variety is also available. Despite the name, it does produce delicious fruit, much prized in the Orient.

Though apricots are generally self-pollinating, they often produce larger crops if a pollinator is provided.

As with some other fruit trees, apricots may not produce fruits until the second year.

The trees will need watering during dry spells.

Some of the problems you'll see with this tree are weather-related. Brown rot, a fungus, can attack the plant during periods of high humidity and prolonged rainy spells. If temperatures go over 102 F. just before the fruit matures, pit burn can develop.

Apricots originated in China. The modern varieties aren't that different from what the Chinese grew several thousand years ago. Confucius retired to a simple cottage in the small city of Qufu, where he taught his philosophy to his disciples under the shade of an apricot tree.

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