Robert Chokecherry vs Capilano Apricot - TreeTime.ca

Robert Chokecherry vs Capilano Apricot

Prunus Capilano

Prunus virginiana Robert

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Capilano Apricot
Robert Chokecherry

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

Developed in Barrhead, Alberta, the Robert Chokecherry produces very large berries (comparable to the size of grapes) with good yield.

The berries can be used for wine, jams, jellies and fresh picking, making it one of the sweeter chokecherries. Rich, red foliage make it a striking landscape addition.

Capilano Apricot Quick Facts

Robert Chokecherry Quick Facts

Zone: 3b
Zone: 2b
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: spreading to rounded
Spreading: suckering - low
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: high
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: Toxic to animals with segmented stomachs (horses, cattle, deer moose, etc.)
Foliage: red leaves
Flowers: white to pink
Bloom time: early spring
Fruit: freestone apricots
Fruit: large, black, grape sized
Fruit size: 5cm in diameter
Flavor: sweet, slightly tart
Harvest: mid summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no