Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Western Snowberry - TreeTime.ca

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Western Snowberry

Amelanchier alnifolia Thiessen

Symphoricarpos occidentalis

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Western Snowberry

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.

Like the Common Snowberry, the Western Snowberry is a small shrub with pink flowers useful for feeding livestock and preventing erosion. Unlike the common species, however, the Western Snowberry is much more suited to wet conditions, capable of persevering through poor soil drainage and occasional flooding.

After the Snowberry's flowers have bloomed, it produces berries which often last on the plant through winter. These berries are toxic to humans, but livestock and local wildlife love them! Those hoping to attract wildlife to their property can plant Snowberry and expect to see animals foraging on it much later in the year than other plants.

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Western Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 1a
Height: 5 m (16 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: high


Toxicity: berries are toxic to humans
Flowers: pinkish white
Berries: blue
Berries: small, white, poisonous to humans
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, NT
Other Names: alder-leaf shadbush, dwarf shadbush, pacific serviceberry, pigeon berry, western juneberry, western serviceberry
Other Names: buckbrush, wolfberry