Western Chokecherry vs Debbies Gold Apricot - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs Debbies Gold Apricot

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

Prunus × Debbies Gold

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Western Chokecherry
Debbies Gold 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.

Debbie’s Gold Apricot is a cold-hardy variety known for its firm, sweet, and aromatic fruit. The white to pink flowers bloom several days later than other varieties, making them less susceptible to spring frosts. Their orange-yellow, freestone apricots ripen from late July to mid August and are well-suited for fresh eating, baking, canning, and preserves.

Debbie’s Gold Apricot is generally considered to be partially self-pollinating, but planting with another variety for cross-pollination can increase yields.

Note: While the bloom time is later than other varieties, the flowers are still vulnerable to spring frosts, which can reduce or eliminate the fruit crop.

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Debbies Gold Apricot Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 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: upright to spreading
Spreading: suckering - low
Suckering: low

Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)

Fall colour: reddish-purple
Flowers: white to pink
Bloom time: early to mid spring
Fruit: freestone apricots
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Fruit size: 3-4cm in diameter
Flavor: sweet, aromatic
Harvest: mid to late 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