Honeywood Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Bob Gordon Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Honeywood Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Bob Gordon Elderberry

Amelanchier alnifolia Honeywood

Sambucus canadensis Bob Gordon

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

Honeywood Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Bob Gordon Elderberry

Honeywood Saskatoon, also known as Serviceberries, is excellent at producing an abundance of blue-coloured berries in mid-summer and has dark green foliage that turns yellow in the fall. It is quite large making it a perfect shrub in your backyard garden. Often grown for its edible qualities, the Honeywood Saskatoon is quite ornamental with stunning white blooms in the spring.

Bob Gordon Elderberry is a Black Elderberry cultivar that produces berries that are larger and sweeter than other varieties, making it one of the top cultivars. It produces large clusters of white flowers that turn into large clusters of dark purple to black berries. The berries are well-suited for baked goods, jams, jellies, and syrups. It was selected from the wild in Missouri.

The large berry clusters that the Bob Gordon Elderberry produces will often end up hanging downward. This makes it more difficult for birds to feed on the berries. If birds are a concern, this might be the right berry for you.

Black Elderberries are considered to be partially self-pollinating. So while they will still produce some berries without cross-pollination, planting with another variety will increase yields. Consider planting with Black Elderberry or Ranch Elderberry.

Warning: the seeds, stems, leaves, roots, and uncooked berries are toxic to humans when eaten in quantity. Berries should be cooked to make them safe for human consumption.

Honeywood Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Bob Gordon Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 5 m (15 ft)
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Flowers: fragrant, white
Berries: produces large edible berries
Berries: black
Harvest: late summer to early fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Other Names: honeywood juneberry, honeywood service berry
Other Names: bob gordon american elderberry, bob gordon black elderberry