Sungold Apricot

Overview

Sungold is a University of Minnesota apricot cultivar introduced in 1960. Although UMN only released one other apricot (Moongold), its genetic pedigree, which consists of some Siberian apricot, is still worthy of growing in places that see even -40F temps. Up there with some of the Prairie Province apricots (Westcot, Morden 604, Debbie's Gold, etc.) in terms of hardiness.

Origin & History

‘Sungold’ was developed at the University of Minnesota Fruit Breeding Farm as part of a cold-hardy apricot breeding program aimed at extending apricot production into northern climates. In UMN’s 1960 Bulletin, ‘Sungold’ is Minnesota No. 36, derived from a controlled cross of ‘Superb’ × ‘Manchu,’ and it was officially named in 1960.

That same UMN bulletin lists that the Manchu parent is described as Prunus sibirica (a Siberian apricot source) obtained via South Dakota State College from seed collected in Northern Manchuria by famed cold climate fruit breeder N.E. Hansen, although in this Journal of the American Pomological Society, they describe Manchu parent as a "seedling selection of a Manchurian species collected by N. E. Hansen" and do not list Siberian apricot.

That said, a 1961 article in the Journal of the American Pomological Society similarly describes the Manchu parent as “a seedling selection of a Manchurian species collected by N. E. Hansen." So whether Manchu is of Siberian or Manchurian apricot lineage we are unsure.

Fruit & Uses

The fruit is fair for fresh eating and good for preserves and sauces. The fact that it can survive more extreme temps makes it still a useful apricot in the cold climate orchard, although relative to other Prairie Province apricots, the fruit quality is not as good.

Growth Habit & Spacing

Sungold has an upright growth habit. Because it is grafted to full-size Manchurian apricot rootstock, Sungold should be planned as a standard-sized apricot tree over time, and spaced about 15 ft apart. If you want a larger canopy or more equipment/mowing room, plant wider; if you intend to manage size aggressively, you may plant closer with the expectation of more pruning.

Pollination

Not self-fertile and would require some of our other Prairie Province apricots, such as Westcot, Morden 604, Debbie's Gold, (among others) or Manchurian for pollination.

Cold hardiness

Sungold’s cold-climate reputation is tied to its University of Minnesota breeding background and long history in northern plantings. Sungold saw little to no winter injury when exposed to -35°F on Bruce Benson's farm in Missoula during the 1980's. That same mother tree, from which we collected cuttings to graft these trees, has been thriving ever since. It is at least hardy to -40F. Solid zone 3a apricot.