Saskatoon
Amelanchier alnifolia
Also listed as Aronia alnifolia, Pyrus alnifolia
Also known as Juneberry, Western Serviceberry, Saskatoon Serviceberry
Climate Match for your location
See how well Saskatoon grows in your area.
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A native North American shrub with white spring flowers, edible dark purple berries in summer, and striking golden-red fall foliage. It's extremely hardy, attractive to wildlife, and requires minimal maintenance.
Why grow it
Saskatoon offers reliable hardiness and multi-season interest across much of North America, from the northern Great Plains through temperate zones. Compared to serviceberries like Amelanchier arborea, this species is more cold-hardy and typically more compact, making it suitable for smaller spaces and harsher climates. The fruit ripens earlier than many similar species, providing wildlife food before late-summer berry crops mature elsewhere in the garden.
Watch out for
Fruit production can be inconsistent year to year depending on late spring frost exposure to flowers, particularly in regions with variable spring temperatures. Birds strongly prefer the berries to human harvest, so establishing netting or accepting wildlife browse is typically necessary if you intend to collect fruit for culinary use.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Alaska, California, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A native North American shrub with white spring flowers, edible dark purple berries in summer, and striking golden-red fall foliage. It's extremely hardy, attractive to wildlife, and requires minimal maintenance.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Saskatoon grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Saskatoon offers reliable hardiness and multi-season interest across much of North America, from the northern Great Plains through temperate zones. Compared to serviceberries like Amelanchier arborea, this species is more cold-hardy and typically more compact, making it suitable for smaller spaces and harsher climates. The fruit ripens earlier than many similar species, providing wildlife food before late-summer berry crops mature elsewhere in the garden.
Watch out for
Fruit production can be inconsistent year to year depending on late spring frost exposure to flowers, particularly in regions with variable spring temperatures. Birds strongly prefer the berries to human harvest, so establishing netting or accepting wildlife browse is typically necessary if you intend to collect fruit for culinary use.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Rosaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Western North America
Native to: Alaska, California, Colorado, Iowa, Idaho, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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