Evans Cherry
Prunus cerasus 'Evans'
Appearance: The Evans Cherry is a small, upright, and somewhat vase-shaped tree with attractive, glossy green leaves that turn yellow in the fall. In spring, it bursts into a profusion of fragrant white blossoms, creating a beautiful display. The cherries themselves are bright red, medium-sized, and known for their slightly tart but sweet flavor, making them excellent for fresh eating, pies, and jams. The tree has a relatively tidy growth habit and doesn't typically get overly large, making it suitable for smaller yards.
Care and Maintenance: Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny location. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, particularly when the tree is young and establishing. Prune in late winter or early spring to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches and to maintain an open canopy for good air circulation and sunlight penetration. Fertilize lightly in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. Protect young trees from pests and diseases as needed.
Mature Height: 120-180 inches (10-15 feet)
Mature Spread: 72-120 inches (6-10 feet)
Growth Rate: Medium
Hardiness Zone: 3-7 (Generally very hardy, suitable for Calgary's climate)
Sunlight Required: Full Sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily)
Care and Maintenance: Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny location. Water regularly, especially during dry periods, particularly when the tree is young and establishing. Prune in late winter or early spring to remove any dead, damaged, or crossing branches and to maintain an open canopy for good air circulation and sunlight penetration. Fertilize lightly in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. Protect young trees from pests and diseases as needed.
Mature Height: 120-180 inches (10-15 feet)
Mature Spread: 72-120 inches (6-10 feet)
Growth Rate: Medium
Hardiness Zone: 3-7 (Generally very hardy, suitable for Calgary's climate)
Sunlight Required: Full Sun (at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily)
Crimson Passion Cherry
Prunus fruticosa x Prunus cerasus 'Crimson Passion'
Appearance: Crimson Passion is a dwarf sour cherry tree with a compact, bushy growth habit. Its leaves are a deep green, providing a lovely backdrop to the masses of white flowers that appear in the spring. The cherries are a vibrant, dark red, almost black when fully ripe. They are larger than many other sour cherries and have a rich, intense sweet-tart flavor, making them excellent for fresh eating as well as processing. This tree's smaller size makes it ideal for smaller gardens and even container growing.
Care and Maintenance: Plant in well-drained soil in a location that receives full sun. Water regularly, especially during the first few years and during fruit development. Pruning is minimal but can be done after harvest to remove any crowded or dead branches. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. This variety shows good disease resistance.
Mature Height: 72-96 inches (6-8 feet)
Mature Spread: 48-72 inches (4-6 feet)
Growth Rate: Medium
Hardiness Zone: 2-7 (Extremely hardy, well-suited for Calgary)
Sunlight Required: Full Sun
Care and Maintenance: Plant in well-drained soil in a location that receives full sun. Water regularly, especially during the first few years and during fruit development. Pruning is minimal but can be done after harvest to remove any crowded or dead branches. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. This variety shows good disease resistance.
Mature Height: 72-96 inches (6-8 feet)
Mature Spread: 48-72 inches (4-6 feet)
Growth Rate: Medium
Hardiness Zone: 2-7 (Extremely hardy, well-suited for Calgary)
Sunlight Required: Full Sun
Gloria Apple
Malus domestica 'Gloria'
Appearance: The Gloria apple tree is known for its vigorous and upright growth habit. It features typical apple tree foliage – oval, toothed green leaves. In spring, it produces clusters of fragrant pink and white blossoms, which are quite attractive. The apples themselves are medium to large in size with a bright red blush over a yellow background. They are known for their crisp texture, sweet flavor with a hint of tartness, and good storage qualities.
Care and Maintenance: Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny location. Water regularly, especially during the first few years and during fruit development. Prune annually in late winter or early spring to establish a strong central leader and open canopy, removing any crossing, dead, or diseased branches. Thin fruit in early summer if there is a heavy fruit set to encourage larger, better-quality apples. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer.
Mature Height: 180-240 inches (15-20 feet)
Mature Spread: 120-180 inches (10-15 feet)
Growth Rate: Medium to Fast
Hardiness Zone: 3-7 (Generally hardy, should do well in Calgary with proper care)
Sunlight Required: Full Sun
Care and Maintenance: Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny location. Water regularly, especially during the first few years and during fruit development. Prune annually in late winter or early spring to establish a strong central leader and open canopy, removing any crossing, dead, or diseased branches. Thin fruit in early summer if there is a heavy fruit set to encourage larger, better-quality apples. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer.
Mature Height: 180-240 inches (15-20 feet)
Mature Spread: 120-180 inches (10-15 feet)
Growth Rate: Medium to Fast
Hardiness Zone: 3-7 (Generally hardy, should do well in Calgary with proper care)
Sunlight Required: Full Sun
Prairie Sensation Apple
Malus domestica 'Prairie Sensation'
Appearance: Prairie Sensation is a hardy apple tree with a spreading and somewhat open growth habit. It has typical green apple foliage and produces lovely pinkish-white blossoms in the spring. The apples are medium-sized with a beautiful bright red skin and crisp, juicy white flesh. They offer a sweet and slightly tart flavor, making them excellent for fresh eating and cooking. This variety is known for its good winter hardiness.
Care and Maintenance: Plant in well-drained soil in a full sun location. Water regularly, especially when the tree is young and during dry periods. Prune annually in late winter or early spring to maintain a good shape, remove any dead or crossing branches, and promote air circulation. Thin fruit in early summer if needed. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer.
Mature Height: 180-240 inches (15-20 feet)
Mature Spread: 156-240 inches (13-20 feet)
Growth Rate: Medium
Hardiness Zone: 2-6 (Very hardy, well-suited for Calgary's climate)
Sunlight Required: Full Sun
Care and Maintenance: Plant in well-drained soil in a full sun location. Water regularly, especially when the tree is young and during dry periods. Prune annually in late winter or early spring to maintain a good shape, remove any dead or crossing branches, and promote air circulation. Thin fruit in early summer if needed. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer.
Mature Height: 180-240 inches (15-20 feet)
Mature Spread: 156-240 inches (13-20 feet)
Growth Rate: Medium
Hardiness Zone: 2-6 (Very hardy, well-suited for Calgary's climate)
Sunlight Required: Full Sun
Honeycrisp Apple
Malus domestica 'Honeycrisp'
Appearance: The Honeycrisp apple tree typically has an upright and spreading growth habit. It features green, somewhat elongated leaves and produces attractive white blossoms in the spring. The apples are large and have a distinctive mottled red and yellow skin. They are highly prized for their exceptionally crisp and juicy texture and their balanced sweet-tart flavor. Honeycrisp apples are a popular choice for fresh eating.
Care and Maintenance: Plant in well-drained soil in a location that receives full sun. Consistent watering is important, especially during fruit development, to prevent water stress and ensure good fruit quality. Prune annually in late winter or early spring to maintain an open canopy, remove any weak or crossing branches, and encourage good light penetration. Thin fruit in early summer is often recommended to improve fruit size and quality. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. Be aware that Honeycrisp can be a bit more susceptible to certain diseases and may benefit from preventative care.
Mature Height: 180-240 inches (15-20 feet)
Mature Spread: 120-180 inches (10-15 feet)
Growth Rate: Medium
Hardiness Zone: 3-7 (Generally hardy, should grow well in Calgary with proper care)
Sunlight Required: Full Sun
Care and Maintenance: Plant in well-drained soil in a location that receives full sun. Consistent watering is important, especially during fruit development, to prevent water stress and ensure good fruit quality. Prune annually in late winter or early spring to maintain an open canopy, remove any weak or crossing branches, and encourage good light penetration. Thin fruit in early summer is often recommended to improve fruit size and quality. Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer. Be aware that Honeycrisp can be a bit more susceptible to certain diseases and may benefit from preventative care.
Mature Height: 180-240 inches (15-20 feet)
Mature Spread: 120-180 inches (10-15 feet)
Growth Rate: Medium
Hardiness Zone: 3-7 (Generally hardy, should grow well in Calgary with proper care)
Sunlight Required: Full Sun