How to Grow Blackthorn Apricot

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Blackthorn Apricot

Prunus spinosa × Prunus armeniaca

tree

Blackthorn Apricot is a hybrid fruit tree combining traits of blackthorn (sloe) and apricot, producing small to medium apricot-like fruits with deeper coloring and enhanced hardiness. This tree is valued for its cold tolerance, ornamental spring blossoms, and dual-purpose fruits suitable for fresh eating and preserves. The hybrid vigor makes it a resilient choice for cooler climates where standard apricots struggle.

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Example Blackthorn Apricot timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Blackthorn Apricot
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
Harvest Blackthorn Apricot
Late summer into fall

Before the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Blackthorn Apricot dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily minimum; 8+ hours preferred for best fruit production

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Water: Moderate watering; 1-1.5 inches per week during growing season. Drought-tolerant once established but needs consistent moisture during fruit development. Reduce watering in winter.

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Spacing: 240 inches

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Days to maturity: 3-4 years from planting to first significant harvest

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Planting depth: Plant bareroot or container trees at the same depth as in the nursery; graft union 2-3 inches above soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy loam soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Aged manure Perlite or sand for drainage Lime if soil is acidic

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Zones 5-7 are ideal; hardy to zone 4 with some winter protection

4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b

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Growth Stages

Establishment (Year 1)

First growing season

New tree focuses on root development with modest above-ground growth; spring blossoms may appear but should be removed

Water deeply 2-3 times weekly; avoid fertilizing the first year; remove flowers to encourage root establishment; stake if needed in windy sites

Branch Development (Years 2-3)

2-3 years

Tree develops main scaffolding branches and increases in size; flowering intensifies but fruit set may still be light

Prune to establish open-center or vase shape; thin crowded branches; apply balanced fertilizer in early spring; continue consistent watering

Pre-Flowering (Late Winter/Early Spring)

4-6 weeks before bloom

Buds swell and transition from dormancy; delicate white to pale pink blossoms emerge before leaf break

Avoid pruning once buds begin to swell; monitor for late frost damage; do not fertilize heavily to avoid encouraging vegetative growth over flowering

Fruiting (Summer)

8-12 weeks

Small green fruits develop and gradually enlarge, changing from green to yellow-orange with darker red-purple blush; sugar content increases

Thin fruits to 4-6 inches apart for larger individual fruits; maintain consistent moisture; monitor for pest damage; apply organic pest controls as needed

Harvest (Mid to Late Summer)

3-4 weeks, continuing for 4-6 weeks across crop

Fruits reach full color—yellow-orange with deep red or purple blush—and yield slightly to gentle pressure; fragrance develops

Harvest when fully ripe for best flavor; handle gently to avoid bruising; pick fruits that detach easily; prune out any diseased or damaged branches

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Chamomile Borage Chives Garlic Nasturtium Marigold

Avoid planting near:

Potato Fennel Dill Other stone fruits within 15 feet (disease spread)

Common Pests

Remove infested fruits; apply spinosad or kaolin clay spray at petal fall and 7-10 days later; maintain clean orchard floor
Use pheromone traps for monitoring; apply spinosad in late spring; prune out damaged shoots; remove nearby peach trees if possible
Prune out infected branches immediately; improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; apply sulfur or copper fungicide during bloom and fruit stages
Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage beneficial insects (ladybugs, lacewings)
Hand-pick in early morning; use Japanese beetle traps away from tree; apply spinosad if infestation is heavy

Uses

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Fresh eating and jams

Culinary

Blackthorn Apricots can be eaten fresh when fully ripe, with a complex flavor between apricot and sloe. They are particularly prized for jams, preserves, and compotes due to their higher pectin content and deep color. [source]

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Vitamin C and antioxidants

Medicinal

These hybrid fruits are rich in vitamin C and anthocyanin antioxidants from the blackthorn parentage, supporting immune health and antioxidant activity similar to stone fruit benefits. [source]

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Liqueurs and cordials

Household

The tartness and color of Blackthorn Apricots make them excellent for making fruit liqueurs, cordials, and fruit wines, particularly when combined with sugar and alcohol. [source]

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Ornamental spring feature

Craft

The tree's abundant pale pink or white blossoms in early spring provide significant ornamental value and attract pollinators, making it attractive in landscape and permaculture settings. [source]

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Pollinator and bird food

Wildlife

Early spring blossoms provide critical early-season nectar for bees and other pollinators, while mature fruits attract birds and wildlife in summer and early fall. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Pick fruits when fully ripe in mid to late summer (typically July-August in northern regions); the fruit should have a fragrant aroma and yield to gentle pressure. Grasp the fruit at the base and twist gently, or cut with pruners if it doesn't detach easily. Harvest every 2-3 days as fruits ripen sequentially. For fresh eating, harvest at peak ripeness; for preserves, slightly earlier ripeness works well.

Fun Facts

🌱 Blackthorn Apricot is a true hybrid combining the extreme cold-hardiness of blackthorn (which survives to zone 4) with the superior fruit quality of apricot, making it uniquely suited to northern orchards.
🌱 The blackthorn parent (sloe) has been used in European liqueurs and folk medicine for centuries, and this heritage contributes deeper color and tannin complexity to the hybrid fruit.
🌱 This tree's early spring bloom makes it a valuable early-season nectar source; its flowers often appear before most other fruit trees have even begun to break dormancy.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Full Sun Hybrid

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