Carmine Jewel Cherry vs Debbies Gold Apricot - TreeTime.ca

Carmine Jewel Cherry vs Debbies Gold Apricot

Prunus x kerrasis Carmine Jewel

Prunus × Debbies Gold

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Carmine Jewel Cherry
Debbies Gold 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.

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.

Carmine Jewel Cherry Quick Facts

Debbies Gold Apricot Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 2.0 m (7 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 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: upright to spreading
Spreading: suckering - low
Suckering: low
Maintenance: high


Fall colour: orange
Flowers: white
Flowers: white to pink
Bloom time: early to mid spring
Fruit: freestone apricots
Berries: large dark purple cherries
Fruit size: 3.5g
Fruit size: 3-4cm in diameter
Flavor: tart - best for pies and jams
Flavor: sweet, aromatic
Harvest: late July to early August
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no