Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Spicebush - TreeTime.ca

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Spicebush

Amelanchier alnifolia Thiessen

Lindera benzoin

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Spicebush

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.

The Spicebush is an unique ornamental shrub that blooms with vibrant yellow flowers and bright green foliage. The foliage goes from green to yellow in the autumn, adding fall interest to your garden.The plant is dioecious, meaning that you will need male and female plants in order to harvest it’s red berries. Berries are only produced on female plants. The berries themselves aren’t that sweet, and are mostly enjoyed by birds and other wildlife.

The Spicebush, also commonly known as Common Spicebush, Northern Spicebush, Wild Allspice, and Benjamin Bush, is named after its distinctive spicy-sweet fragrance that comes from the flowers.

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Spicebush Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 4a
Height: 5 m (16 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium


Foliage: fragrant
Flowers: greenish yellow
Berries: blue
Berries: red
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Native to: ON
Other Names: alder-leaf shadbush, dwarf shadbush, pacific serviceberry, pigeon berry, western juneberry, western serviceberry
Other Names: benjamin bush, common spicebush, northern spicebush, wild allspice