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

Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Red Elderberry

Amelanchier alnifolia Northline

Sambucus racemosa

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Red Elderberry

Northline 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.

Northline Saskatoon is popular because it seldom gets over 8 feet in height, which makes it ideal for U-Pick orchards and over-row harvester equipment. The uniform ripening of the berries in full clusters and the desirable sweet taste also make this variety a favorite.

Starting an orchard or another project using thousands of plants? Give us a call for special bulk rates!

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.

Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Red Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Toxicity: toxic to humans
Fall colour: orange to red
Flowers: white
Fruit: Northline produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Berries: produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Berries: bright red berries
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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