Robert Chokecherry vs Debbies Gold Apricot - TreeTime.ca

Robert Chokecherry vs Debbies Gold Apricot

Prunus virginiana Robert

Prunus × Debbies Gold

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Robert Chokecherry
Debbies Gold Apricot

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.

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.

Robert Chokecherry Quick Facts

Debbies Gold Apricot Quick Facts

Zone: 2b
Zone: 3a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright to spreading
Spreading: suckering - low
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium
Maintenance: high

Toxicity: Toxic to animals with segmented stomachs (horses, cattle, deer moose, etc.)

Foliage: red leaves
Flowers: white to pink
Bloom time: early to mid spring
Fruit: large, black, grape sized
Fruit: freestone apricots
Fruit size: 3-4cm in diameter
Flavor: sweet, aromatic
Harvest: mid to late summer
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no