Apricots can be a bit tricky in the Foothills. They are subject to disease that can be amplified in wet springs, also they bloom early which can be bad if we have late frost/snow. If you like a good challenge, this is the fruit for you.

Autum Royal EZ Pick on Mairana Root Stock Med. To Large oval fruit with yellow/orange fruit. Pale orange juicy flesh. Quality similar to Blenheim. Only late apricot known according to LE Cooke Nursery. Ripens in September 500 hours. $28

Cherries do not like heavy wet soil. Do what you can to amend your soil and possible create a “raised bed” to elevate the roots from sitting in sopping wet clay in the winter.

Descriptions of rootstocks

Colt For sweet cherries. In heavy soils, trees are dwarfed to 70-80% of standard. Lesser dwarfing effect in other soils. Apparently resistant to bacterial canker. Relatively tolerant of wet soils (but good drainage still required). Trees begin bearing at young age.

Mazzard Standard rootstock for sweet cherries. Vigorous, more tolerant of wet soils than Mahaleb (but good drainage still required). Resistant to root-knot nematodes and oak-root fungus

Bing on Mazzard rootstock Large, firm, juicy, sweet, nearly black when ripe -- superb flavor, the No.1 cherry. Mid-season. Large vigorous tree. Pollenized by: Black Tartarian, Van, Rainier and in colder climates, Stella . Estimated chilling requirement: 700 hours. $27

Black Tartarian on Mazzard Rootstock Medium-sized, nearly black, sprightly flavor, early season. Vigorous, productive tree. Pollenizer required - interfruitful with all popular sweet cherries. Estimated chilling requirement: 700 hours. $27

Craig's Crimsonon on Colt Rootstock Self-fruitful, natural semi-dwarf, perhaps the finest sweet cherry: dark red to nearly black, medium to large size, wonderful spicy flavor, very firm texture. Mature tree size about 2/3 of standard (smaller when budded onto Colt or Mahaleb rootstock). Midseason. Estimated chilling requirement: 800 hours. Pat. No. 7320.(Zaiger) $27

Lambert on Colt Rootstock Large, black, late harvest. Highest quality, rivaling Bing. Less susceptible to cracking due to later season. Estimated chilling requirement: 800 hours. Pollenized by Van, Rainier, or Black Tartarian. $27

Rainier on Mazzard Rootstock Sweet Large, yellow with red blush. Sweet and flavorful - superior to Royal Ann. Very cold hardy. Mid-season harvest. Pollenizer required-interfruitful with Van, Lambert, Black Tart, Bing. Estimated chilling requirement: 700 hours. $27

Stella on Mazzard Rootstock Self-fruitful - no pollenizer needed. Large, nearly black, richly flavored sweet cherry. Similar to its parent, Lambert. Late harvest. Pollenizes Bing, except in mild winter climates. Estimated chilling requirement: 400 hours Also available on 3CR1 78 (dwarfs tree to 8’) $27

4 in 1 Cherry on Mazzard Rainier, Bing, Lapin and Van all on one tree. $50.