Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Borealis Haskap (Honeyberry) - TreeTime.ca

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Borealis Haskap (Honeyberry)

Lonicera caerulea Borealis

Amelanchier alnifolia Thiessen

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Borealis Haskap (Honeyberry)
Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry)

Borealis Haskap is a popular variety due to its great-tasting, sweet-tart berries. The flavour of Haskaps is generally described as a cross between a blueberry and a raspberry. Borealis Haskaps are well suited to fresh eating, baking, and preserves.

It has strong fruit holds and is not very firm so it does not do well when handled by equipment. This variety is a favourite for home gardens and U-Picks.

For optimal fruit production, cross-pollination is required. Haskaps need to be planted with a compatible variety. Compatibility is influenced by both bloom time and genetics.

Borealis Haskap is an early-pollinating variety and pairs well with Aurora and Honey Bee.

Thiessen Saskatoon is a deciduous shrub that produces delicious edible fruit. It is one of the most productive saskatoon varieties. Its fruit is great in pies, preserves or eating fresh.

Thiessen Saskatoon is popular with U-Picks and home owners because of its taller tree-like shape and larger berries. But it is not the best choice for berry orchards as it is too tall for most mechanical harvesting equipment.

Borealis Haskap (Honeyberry) Quick Facts

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Height: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: low


Berries: berries are large; berries are similar to blueberries but larger and have a taste between raspberry and blueberry; ready for harvest at the end of June
Berries: blue
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: alder-leaf shadbush, dwarf shadbush, pacific serviceberry, pigeon berry, western juneberry, western serviceberry