Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Sweet Gale - TreeTime.ca

Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Sweet Gale

Myrica gale

Amelanchier alnifolia Northline

CUSTOM GROW

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Sweet Gale
Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry)

Sweet Gale is a native, nitrogen-fixing shrub known for its aromatic foliage. Tiny glands on the leaves release a balmy, bay leaf-like scent with floral and citrus notes. In spring, the yellowish male catkins provide one of the earliest sources of pollen for bees and other insects. While later in the season, the female catkins produce seeds that are eaten by waterfowl. Sweet Gale is dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants.

Sweet Gale thrives in wet, acidic soils and is commonly found along wetlands and lakeshores. It can help stabilize shorelines, while its dense growth provides valuable cover for wildlife. It is well-suited for naturalization, wetland restoration, and erosion control projects.

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!

Sweet Gale Quick Facts

Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Zone: 1b
Zone: 1a
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Growth form: upright, thicket-forming
Spreading: suckering - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: medium


Foliage: dotted with yellow glands, sweet scented
Fall colour: yellow
Fall colour: orange to red
Bark: reddish-purple, dotted with yellow glands
Fruit: Northline produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Berries: produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: yes
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Other Names: bog myrtle, meadow-fern, sweet bayberry, sweetgale
Other Names: alder-leaf shadbush, dwarf shadbush, pacific serviceberry, pigeon berry, western juneberry, western serviceberry