Should I grow an apricot tree or an ornamental?

Watch Reply
More
Mark unread Print Skip to new
KittyWittyKat Saint Paul, MN(Zone 4b) Jan 15, 2015

In Minnesota z4b: I have a very sunny south facing corner garden next to the shed. I am considering growing an apricot tree or some other tree so I will have more shade for shade perennials. But I am hesitant because fruit trees can get messy, and there are those pesky Japanese Beetles. Would it be difficult to harvest if I have perennials to negotiate around? What have been folks' experiences with apricots? I have the variety research done, but guess I need a bit more confidence.

I do have 2 apples, a new pear and 2 new plums, mulberry sapling in other areas of the lawn.

Post #10004686
Quote
siya14 Milwaukee, WI Jan 15, 2015

I live in wisconsin in zone 5 (however really hard winters here kill zone 5 plants). In our area, most apricots, or asian plums which are closely related, have a tendency to break dormancy at the first warm-up, then the buds get frozen due to temperature swings and fruit rarely forms. There is a bush apricot, the manchurian, that is more fruitful in the north, but it's not going to provide the shade you are looking for. Many apricot require a pollinator. If you don't care about the fruit, apricot or plum trees are very nice looking trees with early flowers. Even the dwarf trees get rather large.

Have you considered cherry trees? They are pretty in flower, they fruit well in northern climates. The University of Saskatchewan has a group of very small natural dwarfs that are hardy to zone 3. These are called "romance series" and are self-fruitful (but better with 2 varieties). They are tiny, and grow to about 5' tall. Fruit very early as well.

Post #10004813
Quote

Post a Reply to this Thread

Please or sign up to post.
Back to Forum Homepage

More Beginner Gardening Threads

Go to all Beginner Gardening threads
BACK TO TOP