Westley Apricot is a late-blooming apricot cultivar bred for hot climates, flowering in August when most apricots have already bloomed and set fruit. Hardy from zones 5 through 9, this 15-foot tree offers a strategic advantage for gardeners in regions prone to spring frosts that devastate early-flowering varieties. Its August bloom timing and heat tolerance make it a calculated choice for extending apricot season and securing reliable harvests in challenging climates.
Full Sun
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5-9
180in H x ?in W
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High
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The August bloom is the real draw here. While nearly every other apricot variety flowers in spring and risks losing blossoms to late frosts, Westley waits until midsummer to bloom, sidesteping one of the most common reasons apricot harvests fail. For gardeners in zones 5 and 6 where frost damage is routine, or in hot climates where spring blooms can be too early, this timing shift changes everything about whether you actually get fruit.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Plant bare-root or container-grown Westley Apricot trees in early spring, once soil is workable and nighttime temperatures consistently stay above freezing. Choose a location with full sun exposure. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, position the graft union 1 to 2 inches above soil level, and backfill with well-draining soil. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
Harvest Westley Apricots when they yield slightly to gentle pressure and have deepened in color, typically 60 to 70 days after bloom. Ripe fruit should detach easily from the branch with a light twist. Pick in early morning when temperatures are cool to preserve quality. Apricots do not ripen further after harvest, so wait until full color and slight give indicate true ripeness on the tree.
Prune Westley Apricot in late winter or early spring before growth begins. Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches to maintain an open center that allows light and air to reach the interior of the canopy. Thin out crowded growth to improve fruit size and reduce disease pressure. Keep the tree to a manageable height by pruning back vertical shoots; apricots fruit on short spurs, so avoid heavy heading back that removes productive wood.
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