Prunus
Apricot – Westcot
Prunus armeniaca
- Fruit
- Zone 3a
- Full Sun
- Medium
- 4.5-6 m
- 4.5–6 m
- 5–6 m
- Medium
Bloom window: Early Spring
Toxic to pets.
- Soil
- Well-drained, Loam
- Native status
- Introduced
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Flower colour
- White, Pink
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Foliage habit
- Deciduous
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies
Care guides
Watering
Once established, Westcot Apricot has moderate drought tolerance but requires deep, regular watering during its fruit development stage from late spring to summer. Water deeply at the root zone once a week, ensuring the soil dries out slightly between waterings. Avoid overhead watering to prevent fungal diseases. In Steinbach, reduce watering in late fall to help the tree harden off for the prairie winter.
Sunlight
Requires full sun (6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily) for optimal flowering and fruit production. Planting in a location with maximum sun exposure also ensures the shell pink flowers dry quickly after spring rains, reducing the risk of blossom blight.
Pruning
Prune annually in late winter or early spring (typically late March to early April in Manitoba) while the tree is still dormant. Focus on removing the "Three Ds": dead, damaged, or diseased wood. Open up the center of the canopy to maximize sunlight penetration and air circulation, which helps prevent black knot and other fungal issues common to stone fruits.