Description
Summer Delight Aprium® is a late-season apricot–plum hybrid valued for reliable crops, great apricot flavor, and very juicy flesh. It ripens in late July to early August in DWN’s reference region—making it a standout option for extending aprium-style fruit well beyond the early season.
Most aprium-style fruit shows up early, then disappears just as summer really hits. Summer Delight is different: it’s the “keep it going” pick—built for growers who want that apricot character later, when the orchard is shifting into peak-season fruit.
It’s also a practical backyard choice. Summer Delight is listed as self-fruitful, and in the right site it can produce dependable crops without needing a second variety. Like all interspecific stone fruits, it benefits from sun, drainage, and an open canopy that dries quickly after rain.
Overview
- Apricot × plum interspecific hybrid (Aprium®)
- Great apricot flavor with very juicy flesh
- Late-season ripening for an aprium-style fruit
- Reliable bearer in well-sited plantings
- Self-fruitful
Growing Details
Latin Name: Prunus armeniaca × Prunus salicina ‘Summer Delight’
Site and Soil: 1/2 day to full day of sun; well-drained soil
Chill Requirement: 500 hours or fewer
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zone 7
Rootstock: Citation
Bearing Age: 1–3 years
Size at Maturity: Semi-dwarf; typically maintained around 10–14 ft with pruning
Flowering Time: Early flowering (within interspecific stone fruits)
Ripening Time: Late season for apriums; approx. late July to early August in warm-summer reference regions (later in cooler areas)
Pollination: Self-fruitful
Pests & Diseases: Standard stone fruit considerations; good airflow is important
Yield: Moderate to good once established
Additional Notes
- Grower’s Insight: Summer Delight is the “late aprium” you plant to extend the season—apricot-forward flavor and very juicy fruit when most early interspecifics are already finished.
- Regional Insight: In cool or wet spring climates such as the Pacific Northwest, coastal regions, or higher elevations, prioritize a warm, sunny site and excellent drainage to support bloom success and reduce disease pressure. An open canopy and good airflow make a noticeable difference.
- Ripening Context: Summer Delight typically ripens after the early and midseason apriums, and it often lines up closer to mid-to-late pluot season than “early aprium season.” Timing will vary by region and year.
- Thin fruit in heavy years to improve size and reduce limb stress.
- Explore more interspecific hybrids in our collection: All Interspecific Hybrids
