Common Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Cloudberry - TreeTime.ca

Common Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Cloudberry

Rubus chamaemorus

Amelanchier alnifolia

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Cloudberry
Common Saskatoon (Serviceberry)

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.

Common Saskatoon is a native shrub that's famous for its great-tasting fruit. The berries are terrific for fresh eating and cooking. The Saskatoon bush itself can be quite large and produces an abundance of fruit. Saskatoons are hardy and can tolerate partial shade and a variety of growing conditions.

Cloudberry Quick Facts

Common Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 1a
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.7 m (9 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: orange, yellow
Berries: irregular, yellow to orange
Berries: purple-blue
Firmness: firm
Harvest: September to October.
Flowers: white
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium




Other Names: baked apple berry, cloud berry
Other Names: common serviceberry, wild saskatoon, wild serviceberry