Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Pygmy Caragana - TreeTime.ca

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Pygmy Caragana

Amelanchier alnifolia Thiessen

Caragana pygmaea

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

CUSTOM GROW

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Pygmy Caragana

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.

Pygmy Caragana is a shrub that is related to Common Caragana and has a compact size that is suitable for yards with limited space. Its size is perfect for landscaping and decorative hedges, and requires little maintenance. This nitrogen fixer has fine-textured foliage and small yellow flowers. Much like Common Caragana, it is hardy and drought tolerant.

Popular as a low maintenance commercial landscaping shrub and for hedging. This species does have tiny spines that might poke you a bit. It has a nice appealing texture when mature.

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Pygmy Caragana Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2b
Height: 5 m (16 ft)
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: none


Flowers: prolific tiny yellow pea-like flowers
Berries: blue
Seeds: prolific seedpods are edible
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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