Prince George, B.C. - The edible landscape and edible plants continue to be popular among
home owners. Before purchasing fruit bearing trees and shrubs, some
knowledge is important to make the right choices. 

When choosing fruit trees, you want to keep pollination in mind as this is a key component
to successful fruit yields. Apple trees, plum trees, cherries, grapes
and the berries, all need to be pollinated in order for them to bear
fruit. Some are self pollinating while others need more than one variety.


 Apples need to cross pollinate with another type/variety of apple in
order to produce fruit. It can be any other variety of apple, crab
apple, flowering crab but for pollination to occur the varieties must
bloom at the same time and they should be in close proximity to each
other, around 150 meters. Another apple variety tree in the neighbour
hood could be a good pollinator for your tree. Homeowners that live in
rural areas will need to purchase two different apple trees.

 Plums can be a bit of a challenge. Many of them need to be cross
pollinated and it can be harder with the different varieties and bloom
times. Mount Royal variety is a self pollinating variety. Hardy cross
pollinating varieties include early blooming Brookgold, Pfitsen #5, mid
season bloomers Toka, Opata, Tecumsch and Western Sandcherry, late
bloomers are Brookred, Pipestone, and Pembina. Pembina.. A mid season
variety can pollinate with an early or late variety.

 The honeyberry or haskap berry need to be cross pollinated. Hascaps
have become a favourite among many Northern gardeners as the plant is
hardy, and the early blooming flowers can withstand a late spring frost
with very little to no damage.

 Sour cherries such as Evans, Montmorency, and the 'Romantic' series
(Cupid, Juliet, Romeo, Valentine) are self-pollinating which means that
they can pollinate themselves . There only has to be one tree in order
to grow fruit. This is also true for grapes, currants, gooseberries,
strawberries, raspberries, and saskatoons. Blueberries can be
self-pollinating but the yields will be larger if there is more than one
variety for cross pollination.

 There are different factors that can determine successful pollination
and fruit production. For example, weather plays into it. A late spring
frost can harm the flowers, or cool, wet weather while the plant is in
bloom will result in poor pollination as pollinating insects and bees do
not to go out during poor weather. There could be a lack of bees in the
area. Flowering plants that attract bees, wasps etc can be planted in
flowerbeds to help encourage the bees to your yard. Bee houses can be
placed in the yard and Mason bees can be brought in. Never spray
insecticides on trees and shrubs when they are in bloom as you don't
want to harm any beneficial insects. Bees are very important and Art
Knapps has told its suppliers that they will no longer accept nursery
plants treated with neonicotinoids a controversial class of pesticides
linked to honeybee mortality. We are also excited to have Margriet from
Beediverse come to the Art Knapps Plantland, Kimball Road location on
Saturday March 28, at 10:00 a.m., to talk about mason bees. We will be
selling bee houses and mason bees.