Apricot trees, once established, are somewhat drought-tolerant. Thanks to losses of crop some years and bearing fruits relatively early in the growing season, the branches and trunks of apricots can become quite large over time. Even in years when late frosts take the crop, the trees are gorgeous in spring with white or pink blossoms, and ornamental in summer with their furrowed bark and heart-shaped, glossy leaves, red when new and dark green when mature. Flower buds for the following year begin to form between late July and early September, so it is important to supply a tree with adequate water during this period of time. Tree-ripe, high quality apricots are rarely seen at the supermarket and not often at farmers' markets.
Apricots are very high in potassium, vitamin A, niacin, and iron.
In the kitchen, their generally freestone quality makes them easy to prepare for canning, drying, or use in baked goods. Keep these virtues in mind when considering whether or not you should try and plant a tree, or stay up late at night sprinkling an apricot tree in bloom when temperatures dip below freezing.