American Bladdernut vs Debbies Gold Apricot - TreeTime.ca

American Bladdernut vs Debbies Gold Apricot

Staphylea trifolia

Prunus × Debbies Gold

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American Bladdernut
Debbies Gold Apricot

American Bladdernut is a fast-growing, ornamental shrub native to eastern North America. It can be grown as a large shrub or trained as a small tree. The small, drooping, white flowers are bell-shaped and grow in clusters. They appear in mid to late spring, attracting various pollinators. Well suited as an understory plant as it prefers shady and partial sun location with moist soils.

The blossoms mature into papery seed capsules and have been described as miniature Japanese lanterns. They are commonly used in dried flower arrangements. The seeds found within the pods are edible, and have a taste similar to pistachios. They can be eaten raw, used in baking or made into a sweet cooking oil.

Care should be taken when planting American Bladdernut, as it can spread quickly. It is prone to suckering and will self-seed. Plant the right tree in the right place.

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.

American Bladdernut Quick Facts

Debbies Gold Apricot Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 4 m (12 ft)
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: shade, partial shade
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: long
Life span: medium
Growth form: upright to spreading
Spreading: suckering - low
Suckering: medium


Flowers: white
Flowers: white to pink
Bloom time: early to mid spring
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


Native to: ON, QC