Native Plants As Habitat For Wildlife - Native Plant Society of ...

Amelanchier alnifolia (saskatoon berry)
Description:
The species name “alnifolia” means alder-like and refers to the alder-like leaves. A
native shrub well known for its berries, the saskatoon also has ornamental value in
flower, fruit, and attractive fall color. It shows tremendous variation in form. Heights
range from 2.6 to 5 m (8 to 15 ft.) with a spread of 1.3 to 2.0 m (4 to 6 ft). Dense erect
clusters of fragrant white flowers are produced in May, followed by edible dark blue
berries in mid-summer. Used by indigenous peoples and early European settlers as food,
saskatoon berries have become a maior commercial fruit crop on the prairies in the last
decade.
Among the fruiting cultivars are 'Honeywood', 'Northline', 'Pembina', 'Smoky', and
'Thiessen'. 'Altaglow' is a white fruited Saskatoon, columnar in form, with outstanding
gold fall color.
Culture:
Saskatoons grow in a wide range of soils in sun or partial shade. They are drought
tolerant once established. If grown within a few kilometres of junipers, they may become
infected with saskatoon-juniper rust, especially following warm rainy springs. This
fungal disease is characterized by orange lesions on the leaves and fruit of the saskatoon
plants.
Use:
Saskatoons are excellent as part of an informal shrub border, as a small specimen tree, or
a tree grouping. They are widely used in shelterbelts. The edible berries are a bonus!
Saskatoons provide cover and food for birds.
Propagation:
Saskatoons are propagated by cuttings, tissue culture, budding or grafting, and by seed.
The first three methods will produce plants which are identical to the parent plants. Seed
is harvested in August and either down directly outdoors in fall or stratified in damp
peatmoss for 5 moths and sown in the spring. Plants grown from seed will show variation
in form, height and fruiting characteristics (size of berry and overall yield of plant).
Plants which are budded or grafted, usually onto cotoneaster rootstock, will be less
productive and have a shorter life span. Etiolated cuttings or tissue culture are the
preferred methods of propagation.
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