Western Chokecherry vs Capilano Apricot - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs Capilano Apricot

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

Prunus Capilano

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Western Chokecherry
Capilano Apricot

Western Chokecherry is a shrub or small tree commonly used for farmstead and field windbreaks.

It produces white flowers in the spring and edible dark purple fruit that matures between September and October. Its cherries are great for making for making jams, jellies or wine, but are not very palatable for raw eating.

Capilano Apricot is a cold-hardy variety known for its sweet, juicy, full-flavored fruit. It produces white to pink blooms in early spring, before the leaves emerge, followed by golden-yellow, freestone apricots. They ripen from mid-July to early August and are well-suited for fresh eating, baking, wine, canning, and preserves.

The Capilano Apricot originated from three trees planted in Edmonton’s Capilano neighbourhood during the 1960s. As they began producing fruit, local fruit enthusiasts took notice and propagated the trees, with the southernmost becoming particularly popular. Though the original trees no longer exist, the Capilano Apricot remains a widely sought-after cold-hardy variety.

Capilano Apricot is generally considered self-pollinating, but planting with another variety for cross-pollination can increase yields.

Note: The early bloom time makes the flowers vulnerable to spring frosts, which can reduce or eliminate the fruit crop

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Capilano Apricot Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3b
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Growth form: spreading to rounded
Spreading: suckering - low
Suckering: low

Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)

Fall colour: reddish-purple
Flowers: white to pink
Bloom time: early spring
Fruit: freestone apricots
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Fruit size: 5cm in diameter
Flavor: sweet, slightly tart
Harvest: mid summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB
Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry