Freestone Apricot
Harglow Apricot is a late-blooming variety from the Harrow Research Station in Ontario that has earned its reputation as a reliable producer across zones 5 through 9. This self-fertile cultivar ripens early despite blooming late, giving it a significant advantage in variable climates where spring frosts often claim apricot harvests. The fruit itself is medium to large, dressed in deep orange skin with an attractive red blush, and the flavor is firm, sweet, and genuinely flavorful. Its proven track record in the maritime Pacific Northwest and across most of the nation, combined with some resistance to brown rot and other diseases, makes it a standout choice for gardeners in cooler regions where apricots have historically been difficult to grow.
Full Sun
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5-9
264in H x ?in W
Perennial
High
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Harglow blooms late enough to dodge spring frosts but ripens its fruit early, a rare combination that explains why it thrives where other apricots fail. The medium-to-large fruit offers deep orange color with red blush and a firm, sweet flavor that rewards the patience of northern growers. Its disease resistance, particularly to brown rot, means less spraying and more reliable crops even in humid climates. Developed at Canada's Harrow Research Station and proven across the Pacific Northwest and beyond, this variety has earned the trust of serious fruit gardeners who refuse to surrender their apricot dreams to zone limitations.
As an apricot, Harglow fruit is used fresh for eating out of hand, where its firm, sweet flesh and attractive appearance make it particularly satisfying. The fruit also preserves well for jams, dried apricots, and canned preparations, making it valuable for home gardeners interested in preserving the harvest. Its suitability for maritime climates, where fresh apricots have historically been rare, gives it cultural weight in regions that rarely had access to homegrown apricots.
Plant bare-root or container apricot trees in early spring while dormant, or in fall in milder zones. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and two to three times wider, working compost or aged manure into backfill. The graft union should remain at or slightly above soil level. Water thoroughly after planting and mulch to retain moisture during establishment.
Harglow ripens earlier than many apricot varieties, so watch for the shift from orange to deep orange with red blush. Ripe fruit will yield slightly to gentle hand pressure and detach easily from the branch with a slight twist. Harvest when fully ripe for best flavor; the firm flesh means it handles better than softer apricot varieties.
Apricots fruit on short spurs, so prune modestly to maintain an open canopy and remove dead or crossing branches. Light annual pruning after harvest prevents the dense growth that traps humidity and encourages disease.
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“Harglow emerged from the Harrow Research Station in Ontario, Canada, where plant breeders focused on developing fruit varieties capable of thriving in challenging northern climates. This introduction represented a deliberate effort to extend apricot growing beyond its traditional warm-region stronghold. The cultivar's late-blooming habit and early-ripening characteristics were not accidents but intentional selections designed to solve a real problem: spring frosts that destroyed flowers and eliminated crops in zones where apricots could technically survive winter. By the time it reached gardeners in the Pacific Northwest and across North America, Harglow had already proven itself as a climate-adaptive variety worth including in serious home orchards.”