Carmine Jewel Cherry vs Capilano Apricot - TreeTime.ca

Carmine Jewel Cherry vs Capilano Apricot

Prunus x kerrasis Carmine Jewel

Prunus Capilano

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Carmine Jewel Cherry
Capilano Apricot

Carmine Jewel Cherry is a cold-hardy dwarf sour cherry. It is typically highly productive and one of the first varieties to ripen in summer. It produces deep red, tart fruit that are well-suited for fresh eating, baking, and preserves. In the spring, beautiful white flowers cover the branches, adding ornamental value.

Carmine Jewel Cherry was developed at the University of Saskatchewan. It is recommended to grow dwarf sour cherries as a shrub rather than a small tree. The shrub form tends to bear fruit earlier and is less susceptible to winterkill.

Sour cherries are self-fertile; however, planting with additional varieties for cross-pollination can increase yields.

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

Carmine Jewel Cherry Quick Facts

Capilano Apricot Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3b
Height: 2.0 m (7 ft)
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: spreading to rounded
Spreading: suckering - low
Suckering: low
Maintenance: high


Fall colour: orange
Flowers: white
Flowers: white to pink
Bloom time: early spring
Fruit: freestone apricots
Berries: large dark purple cherries
Fruit size: 3.5g
Fruit size: 5cm in diameter
Flavor: tart - best for pies and jams
Flavor: sweet, slightly tart
Harvest: late July to early August
Harvest: mid summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no