Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Cloudberry - TreeTime.ca

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Cloudberry

Amelanchier alnifolia Thiessen

Rubus chamaemorus

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Cloudberry

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.

Cloudberry produces berries which taste tart and tangy with a sweet, floral hint. The berries have a creamy texture when overripe. They are often used to make jams, juices, and liquors. The berries are a pale red colour and when ripe turn more orange/amber. They do not grow very tall, generally reaching only 10-25 cm.

Cloudberry has distinct male and female plants. In order to produce berries, both must be present and pollinate with each other. Berries are produced at maturity, typically 5-7 years, and produce 1 berry per stem. The plant spreads naturally as they grow using modified underground stems (rhizomes), forming more plants over time in the same area.

This plant can be found wild in Canada’s boreal forest. In Newfoundland and Labrador, this plant is known as the Bakeapple and is a significant regional food. Similarly the Côte-Nord region of Quebec also has a long history of using this berry.

Note: Cloudberries require very specific soil conditions. They need well-drained soil with a pH between 3.5 and 5.0. Also sensitive to salt and dry conditions.

Note: Our seedlings are grown from seed and are too young to identify their sex.

Thiessen Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Cloudberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $6.99 - SAVE UP TO 36%
Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 5 m (16 ft)
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: orange, yellow
Berries: blue
Berries: irregular, yellow to orange
Harvest: September to October.
Flowers: white
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: none




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