Stark® SweetHeart™ Apricot
Description
Enjoy fruits and nuts from the same tree! This variety produces big, luscious apricots with a second treat of tasty almond-like kernels inside the pit. Fruit flesh is firm, yet juicy with a sprightly flavor. The “nuts” can be eaten dried or used in any recipe calling for almonds. Easy to grow and maintain! Blooms late to avoid spring frosts and has an extended bloom period. Discovered in Homedale, Idaho in 1970. Freestone. Ripens in mid July. Self-pollinating.
Do not mix your Stark® SweetHeart™ kernels with the kernels of other apricots or peaches; almost all others are not edible.
125% Survival Guarantee!
Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will issue a one-time merchandise credit to your account equaling 125% of the original product purchase price. Read more about our warranty policy.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | Pink |
| Fruit Color | Orange |
| Fruit Size | Medium - Large |
| Pollination | Self-Pollinating |
| Ripens/Harvest | July |
| Shade/Sun | Full Sun |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
| Soil pH Level | 6.0 - 7.0 |
| Taste | Spritely Sweet |
| Texture | Firm, Juicy |
| Years to Bear | 2 - 5 |
| Zone Range | 5 - 8 |
Zone Compatibility
This Variety's Zone Range
5 - 8
My Hardiness Zone
?
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatability range of this variety before ordering.
Size & Spacing
Mature Size
When your tree matures, it will be approximately 15 - 20' tall x 15 - 20' wide.
Recommended Spacing
We recommend spacing these trees 15 - 20' apart to ensure room for growth.
Pollination
This variety is self pollinating.
In many cases, you may still want to plant pollinating partners to increase the size of your crops, but with self-pollinating varieties doing so is optional. You'll get fruit with only one plant!
Tools & Supplies
Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.
Planting & Care
Learn all about how to grow apricot trees in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.
Shipping Information
Estimated Delivery Date
This item is currently out of stock.
Arrives when it's time to plant
Your success is our priority. We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location based on your local climate conditions.
Questions & Answers
Start typing your question and we'll check if it was already asked and answered. Learn More
Browse 38 questions
Browse 38 questions
and 104 answers
Do the kernals contain any form of poison? I have read that all apricot pits have very small amounts.
BEST ANSWER: SweetHeart apricots are quite different than many other varieties. You can eat the delicious kernels of SweetHeart with no worries; they do not contain toxic elements.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- LeAnn Staff on Nov 20, 2016
Has anyone canned the sweetheart apricots? Does the skin get tough? How about freezing them? My goal is to eat some and can or freeze some for winter. Canning would be better for storage purposes as I also have several other fruit trees and bushes. Thanks in advance.
BEST ANSWER: I can't answer this question specifically, but in my experience with fruit, canning saves the flavor, a little more work than freezing, but a better flavor and no freezer burn taste.
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- ANITA H on Mar 27, 2017
- Purchased on May 1, 2015
My favorite apricots are California style, Blenheim or Royal. What style of apricot fruit is this one ... is it bland, sweet, or does it pack a lot of flavor like Blenheim or Royal ?
BEST ANSWER: There are among the best-tasting apricots out there - rich and intense, with a little tang. They make exquisite jam.
If you grow them, be sure to net the tree, even when the fruit is green. As one farmer noted, "The squirrels know, without reading the Stark Bro's catalog, that there are nuts inside there." It's worth the effort if you're a fan of good apricots, pus there's the bonus of the "almond" inside!
If you grow them, be sure to net the tree, even when the fruit is green. As one farmer noted, "The squirrels know, without reading the Stark Bro's catalog, that there are nuts inside there." It's worth the effort if you're a fan of good apricots, pus there's the bonus of the "almond" inside!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- LeAnn Staff on Aug 27, 2016
We live in central Iowa, zone 5. Anyone have good luck with this tree from Iowa?
BEST ANSWER: We are zone 6 (northeast WA) with severe winters--typically 3 feet of snow is on the ground from November until March/April where our SweetHeart is planted. Had the tree thru one winter and it is now beginning to sprout leaves. If you mulch heavy (we use 4"-6" loose straw) in late fall, your tree should survive a harsh winter. Use fruit tree specific fertilizer in spring to help "wake up" your tree from its winter dormancy.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Claude G on May 10, 2018
- Purchased on Aug 24, 2017
I live on the eastern edge of central Alabama, and I would like to make sure we get enough chilling hours for the sweetheart apricots?
BEST ANSWER: This apricot tree performs well in areas with around 700 chill hours.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Sarah D Staff on Dec 12, 2016
What is a good pollination partner for the Sweetheart apricot?
BEST ANSWER: Goldcot and Wilson are not only good pollinators, but great apricots in their own right.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- LeAnn Staff on Jun 18, 2018
I have a nearby black walnut, about 40 ft. Are apricot trees susceptible to juglone, which is in black walnut trees?
BEST ANSWER: Apricots are of the Prunus genus (stone fruits), and according to the Penn State Extension Service, they are tolerate of juglone, along with other fruits in the Prunus genus.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- LeAnn Staff on Dec 23, 2016
I live in southern Ohio where it is hot and humid, how is the disease resistance of this apricot?
BEST ANSWER: This variety has good general disease resistance, to mean it is not known to be highly susceptible to disease, but still you may want to keep a fungicide on hand to control things like brown rot in areas with cool, wet springs and high humidity during the growing season.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Sarah D Staff on Nov 11, 2016
How tall does this tree get?
BEST ANSWER: Planted my Dwarf Sweetheart apricot September 2016. It was a nice bare root tree and grew very fast; now, Sept. 2020, it is 12 feet tall with a 4 inch trunk. No fruit yet, but probably froze the buds this last spring, as we did not get any peaches either. Beautiful shaped tree with no pest or leaf damage so far.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Charlie on Sep 5, 2020
- Purchased on Sep 2, 2016
Can they be espaliered?
BEST ANSWER: Any dwarf or semi-dwarf tree can be espaliered. Our detailed article can be found here: //www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/espalier-fruit-trees Our detailed article can be found here: //www.starkbros.com/growing-guide/article/espalier-fruit-trees
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- LeAnn Staff on Jul 25, 2019
I live by the Long Island sound and the soil is sandy and probably has some salt. Will the apricot do well here?
BEST ANSWER: I would check the pH of your soil as apricots do best in neutral to slightly acidic soil. I have fairly rocky soil, so not everything grows well, but have had good luck with apricots as they seems to not need much in terms of fertilizer and are pretty drought tolerant
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Daniel C on May 7, 2017
- Purchased on Feb 20, 2016
Will this fruit in zone 10?
BEST ANSWER: I'm not sure but my guess is it will eventually fruit if it survives in your area. I planted this tree two years ago in zone 6B and it has done very well. It has not fruited yet but has taken to its environment well and put on noticeable growth. Best of luck!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Larry W on May 6, 2020
- Purchased on Apr 15, 2018
How big are the leaves on your Sweetheart Apricot tree? My new tree has 70+ leaves but they are half inch to 1 inch long. Is that how yours started?
BEST ANSWER: The size of leaves on my Sweetheart Apricot tree are small like you describe, and the new leaves have an attractive reddish tinge to them. I haven't seen any blossoms yet, but the tree is looking vigorous and full this year, so I'm hoping to see some blossoms and fruit next year.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Melanie L on Jun 7, 2018
- Purchased on Sep 7, 2016
I live in zone 8b (used to be zone 8 before USDA redid the zoning) in northeast Texas. We average approximately 950 chill hours, but summers are very hot and humid. Will this tree do well here? Anyone else in an area like mine tried this tree?
BEST ANSWER: I live in high desert under similar conditions
My apricot tree is thriving very well. I am North of Phoenix . 80 miles
My apricot tree is thriving very well. I am North of Phoenix . 80 miles
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- BS in AZ on Mar 24, 2018
- Purchased on Mar 22, 2016
What are the blossoms like? I have a Halls Hardy Almond and the blossoms are beautiful. Is this similar?
BEST ANSWER: I have yet to get any blossoms on the tree yet but I am very happy with the tree. I planted it a year ago in western Kansas and it has done very well, exceeding my expectations. I have not lost a tree yet from stark brothers! I have other apricot trees and the blooms are white and very similar to that of the almond. Hope this helps you out and good luck with you trees! David
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- David M on May 9, 2017
- Purchased on Feb 28, 2016
do you ship to canada ?
BEST ANSWER: Unfortunately, at this time we cannot ship products outside the United States, or to Hawaii.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Feb 16, 2021
what is the root stock of a Sweetheart apricot?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. We use several different rootstocks, depending upon the desired result and what is available. For that reason, we're unable to guarantee a specific rootstock.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Jul 29, 2020
Why would you ship an apricot tree to Massachusetts with an Dec. 18th delivery??
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. Not all dates for delivery will work for all planting zones. If you can not receive at the ready date you will want to wait for spring delivery.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on May 29, 2020
I just received a nectarine tree from you and it was in excellent condition. Is it possible to get a Stark Sweetheart Apricot this time of year? Your website says Dec. 18 to 83843.
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. I am so happy to hear you loved your tree, unfortunately we do not have any more in stock and December will be the soonest they are ready to ship out. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on May 26, 2020
What is the number of chill hours for the Sweetheart apricot?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. Like other perennials, apricots are climate-specific -- they need anywhere from 300 to 1,000 winter chill hours to bear fruit.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on May 26, 2020
What are pollinating partners for this tree ?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. Apricots are self pollinating, so it will bear fruit on its on. For larger crop yield we recommend planting another variety of apricot but there is no specific variety that will work better over another.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Jun 5, 2020
Is this available in dwarf size?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. We do not have a guaranteed ETA on when more will become available. We are very sorry for this inconvenience and completely understand your disappointment. Rest assured, that if you sign up for a notification, you'll be one of the first to be notified when it becomes available again.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us, remember that we're here for you. Have a great day!
???
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us, remember that we're here for you. Have a great day!
???
- Reply(1)
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on May 11, 2020
What is the rootstock that these are grafted to?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. We use several different rootstocks, depending upon the desired result and what is available. For that reason, we're unable to guarantee a specific rootstock.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Apr 29, 2020
Shipping date to zip 47250 listed as August, correct???
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your inquiry. The date that you are seeing is the next available ship date for this variety as it is still growing and not ready to be shipped out. I hope this information is helpful, have a great day!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- TiffanyF Staff on Apr 14, 2020
When will this be available?
BEST ANSWER: We appreciate you reaching out to us. We do not have a guaranteed ETA on when more will become available. We are very sorry for this inconvenience and completely understand your disappointment. Rest assured, that if you sign up for a notification, you'll be one of the first to be notified when it becomes available again.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us, remember that we're here for you. Have a great day!
???
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us, remember that we're here for you. Have a great day!
???
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Tabitha R Expert on Feb 26, 2020
the sweetheart apricot tree I bought two years ago is doing very well. I had blooms this spring but I think too early and has grown quite tall. Should I trim it back this fall, we are have near freezing temps at nite now. And should I wrap it as I live in 7/7a zone? Thank you
BEST ANSWER: Hi Julia - We appreciate you reaching out to us. Pruning is very important and should be done yearly after your tree has gone dormant. Check out our article on preparing your trees for winter. Copy and Paste "Winter Protection for Fruit Trees" in the search bar.
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
If you have any further questions please don't hesitate to reach back out to us. Have a great day!
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- Tabitha R Expert on Nov 5, 2019
How long take this plant to give fruit?
BEST ANSWER: You can find the years-to-bear information in the Characteristics section, near the top of the page, underneath the description. This tree takes 2-5 years to bear.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- LeAnn Staff on Sep 10, 2019
I am looking for a small fruit tree in a pot that can be planted outside or be taken in and out. Is the apricot dwarf tree in a pot? Is it just the root or a growing tree?
BEST ANSWER: Hi, Michelle. You can easily grow any dwarf fruit tree in a pot. This tree comes potted (you will need to re-pot in a large container) or you can buy it bare-root and plant it in the ground or in a container. The bare-root tree is dormant; the potted tree is also dormant. The only kind of fruit trees we have that don't need to go dormant over the winter are our citrus trees. You can take them outside for the summer and bring them in near a sunny window for the winter. All other containered fruit trees need to be kept in an unheated garage or shed for the winter so they can go dormant and complete the fruiting cycle.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- LeAnn Staff on Jan 1, 2019
Can you plant these fruit trees now? Area 5-8. Isn't it to cold? November 7?
BEST ANSWER: Thank you for your question. Because weather and soil conditions vary so much from year to year and even within your zone, it's best to think of your planting time as a range of favorable conditions instead of an exact time.
You can plant new plants and trees: 1) when the ground is not frozen, 2) when daytime temperatures are above freezing (32??F) and below 90??F, and 3) when extreme weather (blizzard, hail, torrential rain, etc.) is not in the forecast. Be sure to keep plants watered if you're transplanting in warm and/or dry weather.
You can plant new plants and trees: 1) when the ground is not frozen, 2) when daytime temperatures are above freezing (32??F) and below 90??F, and 3) when extreme weather (blizzard, hail, torrential rain, etc.) is not in the forecast. Be sure to keep plants watered if you're transplanting in warm and/or dry weather.
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- LeAnn Staff on Nov 7, 2018
new home, clay soil
I have never gardened before. Will this survive in clay? If I amend the soil how far out do I need to do it?
It would be great if you had a category to list plants by soil type.
I know not much likes clay...
I have never gardened before. Will this survive in clay? If I amend the soil how far out do I need to do it?
It would be great if you had a category to list plants by soil type.
I know not much likes clay...
BEST ANSWER: There really isn't any fruit tree that actually thrives in clay, which is why we don't list them by soil type. Most all fruit trees like loamy soil. The hole you dig should be twice as deep and twice as wide as the tree roots. Generally speaking a 3'x3' hole will do the trick. Amending with coir is a great way to break up clay soil: //www.starkbros.com/products/tools-and-supplies/soil-additives/coco-fiber-planting-medium
- Reply
- Inaccurate
- LeAnn Staff on Oct 8, 2018
Customer Reviews
4.5 / 5.0
69 Reviews
Stark SweetHeart Apricot
A winner for sure. This is our second tree. The first tree we bought 40 years ago is still bearing, and 10 years ago it produced 6,000 apricots, with corresponding edible pits.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (68) No (11)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (68) No (11)
- Flag as Inappropriate
The Best Growing Apricot I Have
I bought one of these SweetHart Apricots in 2018. I had also purchased others, but the others I planted in 2018 all died here in Alabama. All were planted in the same field area. This one grew very well, so I purchased another SweetHart in the spring of 2019. The latter one has actually outgrown the first one. Both of them are basically the same size now at about seven feet tall. I have purchased other types again to compliment these two in the same area. Hopefully, the new varieties will take like the SweetHarts have. The SweetHarts came basically as slender sticks, but have grown now to about a 7/8" trunk.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (47) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (47) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Honestly... this is a great tree....
So, here is a reason to buy this. Last year, I planted it in a spot that ended up having less light than I expected. This year I had to move it and I was very afraid I would kill it because the roots were well spread through the ground. I moved it, and it is doing very well. I had heard that moving dwarf trees killed them, but this apricot is such a champ, it just loves the new spot!
- Was this review helpful? Yes (41) No (6)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (41) No (6)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Quality tree
I purchased this variety to grow in northern Utah in a shady area to bloom later spring. The tree was planted fall 2014 & has grown to about six feet tall. It has about 20 apricots on it in the early stages of growth. By next year it will be ready to produce a decent crop. The tree arrived in good condition & has grown fast. Would upload photo if had option. Overall good experience.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (31) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (31) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Sweetheart Apricot
We have had these trees for about 10 years and really like the fruit as well as the almond-like pits. The only problem is the fruit gets wiped out about every other year by our late frosts. Several years ago we bought three more of these trees and they are progressing well.
David Vaughn
Castle Valley, Utah
David Vaughn
Castle Valley, Utah
- Was this review helpful? Yes (27) No (1)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (27) No (1)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Vigourous Grower
I purchased this sweetheart apricot in the spring of 2015. Throughout the summer and into the fall not much happened as would be expected since it needed time to settle in... However it did Bud out and grow leaves. Sometime over the summer my husband accidentally ran over it with the truck and the lower part of the stem practically broke in half... He immediately put it back together and splinted it. We hoped for the best but I felt that it would surely die. This spring however much to my surprise not only did it mend itself you can barely tell that it was practically broken almost in half... In fact it has leaked out quite nicely
- Was this review helpful? Yes (26) No (3)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (26) No (3)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Nice and strong tree
Well grown, strong, had few fruit this year for the first time. Fruit is sweet and large.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (20) No (3)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (20) No (3)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Beautiful Tree
Still no fruit but this is growing into a beautiful shaped tree. I have it currently in a half whiskey barrel with strawberries and the pairing is very pretty.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (14) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (14) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Strong trees
Here in central illinois we have had perrty strong storms and it didn't affect this tree at all so far it is growing great.
- Was this review helpful? Yes (10) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (10) No (0)
- Flag as Inappropriate
Sweetheart Apricot
Pre-ordered 4 peach & apricot bare root trees from Starks they delivered on time in fall, well packaged and included informal easy to read instructions for care & planting. Flower Mound, TX
- Was this review helpful? Yes (10) No (1)
- Flag as Inappropriate
- Was this review helpful? Yes (10) No (1)
- Flag as Inappropriate
