Red Elderberry vs Martin Saskatoon (Serviceberry) - TreeTime.ca

Red Elderberry vs Martin Saskatoon (Serviceberry)

Sambucus racemosa

Amelanchier alnifolia Martin

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Red Elderberry
Martin Saskatoon (Serviceberry)

Red Elderberry is an attractive, medium-sized deciduous shrub.

It produces clusters of white flowers in the spring and bright red berry-like drupes, which provide beautiful contrast against its coarse, textured green foliage.

Red Elder can be pruned as a small single or multi-stemmed tree.

Martin Saskatoon is a prairie hardy shrub. The berries have a large size and a delicious taste. This species has consistent yield, making it great for both orchards and small gardens. The berries ripen uniformly, making them convenient for machine harvesting.

Red Elderberry Quick Facts

Martin Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Height: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 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: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: low

Toxicity: toxic to humans

Flowers: white
Berries: bright red berries
Berries: produces large edible berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Other Names: red elder
Other Names: alder-leaf shadbush, dwarf shadbush, pacific serviceberry, pigeon berry, western juneberry, western serviceberry