Species dwarf apricot
orange-pink fruits with green leaves on light-brown branches

dwarf apricot

Prunus armeniaca 'Homedale' STARK SWEETHEART

Dwarf Apricot (Prunus armeniaca 'Homedale' STARK SWEETHEART) is a hardy, upright deciduous tree with a fast-growing fruiting habit. It takes only a few years for the tree to reach maturity and fruit production. The size of the tree when mature is approximately 7-10 feet tall and 4-6 feet wide. The fragrant, white flowers appear in early spring and are followed by an abundance of red-gold apricots in late summer. These sweet and fragrant fruits are ready for harvesting in August. The dwarf apricot is ideal for small gardens, patios and containers, making it an excellent choice for those with limited garden space. It is an easy-care variety and requires only regular watering and pruning to keep it looking its best.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Cutting,Air Layering Propagation,Tissue Culture

Hardiness Zone:

5 - 8

Flowers:

White Flowers In Spring

Sun:

Full sun

Fruits:

yellow,orange Fruits Ready In Summer

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

High

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

The dwarf apricot should be watered about 1-2 times per week, or when the top 1 to 2 inches of the soil are dry. To determine if the soil is dry, use your finger to feel the soil; if it is dry, then it’s time to water. When watering, use a gentle shower from a garden hose and water the root zone, not any foliage. Water until you see water begin to drain from the bottom of the container; this ensures the roots will get plenty of moisture. Avoid over-watering since this can cause root rot.

sunlight

Dwarf Apricot (Prunus armeniaca 'Homedale' STARK SWEETHEART) plants need 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day, preferably during the morning and early afternoon hours, to grow and thrive. The sun should provide full exposure and ample direct light for maximum fruiting and flowering. Additionally, this plant species thrives better when planted in a spot that is well defended from strong winds, as this can damage its tender blossoms.

pruning

Pruning is an essential part of maintaining the health of Dwarf Apricot (Prunus armeniaca 'Homedale' STARK SWEETHEART) plants. Pruning should be done during the early spring months of March and April right before new growth begins. This is the optimal time to conduct selective pruning to give the tree the desired shape or size. When pruning, it is important to remove dead, diseased, or broken branches to promote healthy growth. Light pruning should also be done to remove any overly vigorous or overcrowded branches. As a rule of thumb, no more than 20% of the tree should be removed during any given pruning session. It is also important to keep the centre of the tree open by thinning out branches growing inward or crossing over 1 another. This will help improve air circulation and reduce the chances of disease or pests. Finally, be sure to sterilize pruning tools in between uses to prevent the spread of disease.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Prunus armeniaca 'Homedale' STARK SWEETHEART typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Prunus armeniaca 'Homedale' STARK SWEETHEART, or dwarf apricot, typically begins in July and can last through August.

Hardiness Map