Apricots, cherries, and plums grow rapidly and often produce fruit in the first or second year—a joy for home orchards and a benefit to fruit breeders evaluating fruit for flavor, texture, and timing. University fruit breeders continue to investigate wild germplasm in breeding fruit plants that better resist cold-temperature injury. The fruit breeding program also evaluates varieties from other breeding programs around the world—apples, apricots, and pears from China; cherries and currants from Europe—looking for any fruit that may be adaptable to our region.

Apricots

Apricots

Apricots are fine, ornamental small trees with an early spring bloom and bright orange-yellow fall color. Because two varieties of apricots are needed for cross-pollination, U of M ‘Sungold’ and ‘Moongold’ cultivars make a good planting combination. The fruit is fair for fresh eating and good for preserves and sauces.

U of M Apricot Varieties

Image Variety Year Features Ripens
Moongold Apricots Moongold 1960 Golden yellow. Very hardy. Blooms the third week of April. 1 3/4" fruit hangs on tree until ripe. Self-unfruitful. Freestone. Late July
Sungold Apricot Sungold 1960 Yellow with red blush. Very hardy, 1 1/4" fruit with clear flesh. Fruit hangs on the tree until ripe. Mild flavor. Upright growth habit. Blooms third week of April. Requires another apricot for cross-pollination. Freestone. Early August

Cherries

Cherries

‘Meteor’ tart cherry is hardy in central and southern Minnesota. Cherries bloom earlier than apples, so the flowers have a greater chance of being killed by a late spring frost. Protecting the fruit from birds is almost essential as they like them as well as people do!

U of M Cherry Varieties

Image Variety Year Features Ripens
Meteor Cherries Meteor 1952 Semidwarf (10-14'). Hardy, vigorous, pie cherry tree with large bright red fruit. No cross-pollination needed. Mid-July
North Star Cherries North Star 1950 Dwarf tree (7-10'). Pie cherry. No cross-pollination needed. Very productive. Bright red deepening to mahogany skin. Yellow, juicy, tender flesh. Tree resistant to leaf spot and brown rot. Early July

Plums

Plums

‘Alderman’ plums are large, with golden flesh and burgundy skin. Horizontal branches make it an attractive small tree in the landscape. Plant ‘Superior,’ ‘Toka,’ or ‘Compass’ as pollinators for best fruit set.

U of M Plum Varieties

Image Variety Year Features Ripens
Alderman Plums Alderman 1986 Fruit is burgundy red with golden yellow, sweet, juicy flesh. Eat fresh or use for preserves. Tree is valued as an ornamental and fruits consistently. Clingstone. Late August
La Crescent Plum La Crescent 1923 High-quality yellow plum. Fruit is small to medium, sometimes with a light blush skin. Flesh is sweet, juicy. Freestone. Somewhat suggestive of apricots. Vigorous grower but often a shy bearer.  Early August
Pipestone Plum Pipestone 1942 Large, attractive red fruits for drier areas. Sweet, juicy yellow fruit. Excellent quality for jam, jellies, and fresh use. Very hardy. Tree is productive. Clingstone. Late August
Superior Plum Superior 1933 Hybrid with large fruit with dark red, russet- dotted skin. Flesh is yellow, juicy, and sweet. Heavy bearing tree may lack hardiness in north. Often sets fruit the first year. Clingstone. Mid-August
Underwood Plum Underwood 1920 Medium-large, red fruit with golden yellow flesh. Juicy and sweet flavor. High quality for fresh use and jam. Clingstone. Hardy, vigorous grower with horizontal spread. Late July

Know to Grow

Apricots and hybrid plums are not self-fruitful; therefore, at least two varieties must be planted. Tart cherries are self-fruitful, so a single-variety orchard could be planted.

Helpful Links

U of M Varieties