They do make excellent preserves. The hardy Apricot cultivars flower very early in spring with a mass of white or pink flowers covering the bare trees. Late frosts frequently kill the flowers which prevents fruit development. Leaves are a medium green color and are maintained in good quality throughout the growing season. Fall color is a brilliant gold to orange.
Apricots prefer a good rich loam soil and full sun.
They are somewhat short lived, particularly if grown in competition with tall grass. Some pruning to remove scattered dead and dying branches is required to keep the tree in good form. More than one cultivar should be planted for cross pollination if fruit is desired. Apricots do not tolerate poorly drained soils. Borers can attack the trunk and larger branches, especially if the plants are under stress.