Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Black Crowberry - TreeTime.ca

Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Black Crowberry

Amelanchier alnifolia Northline

Empetrum nigrum

CUSTOM GROW

Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Black Crowberry

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.

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Black Crowberry is a native evergreen shrub that forms low, spreading mats. It has unique foliage that spirals around the stem, and small dark berries, giving it visual appeal. The berries are edible, but can be acidic, so they are not generally eaten fresh. In colder climates, the berries develop a sweet-tart flavor and are often dried or used in desserts, jams, and jellies.

This hardy shrub provides food for birds and mammals, while its flowers attract pollinators such as bees. It also serves as a host plant for certain butterflies and moths. Together, these roles make it a key contributor to the health of tundra and boreal ecosystems.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the berries are known locally as ‘blackberries’ and are enjoyed in jams, jellies, and traditional baked goods such as buns and puddings. In Scandinavia, they continue to be used in liqueurs, wines, and juices.

Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Black Crowberry Quick Facts

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Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 0.2 m (0.5 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 0.4 m (1.3 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Growth form: low growing, matt-forming
Spreading: rhizomes - medium, seeds - low
Suckering: medium


Foliage: evergreen needle-like leaves
Fall colour: orange to red
Flowers: pink-red, very small
Bloom time: late spring to early summer
Fruit: Northline produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Berries: produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Berries: purplish-black, edible
Flavor: bland, slightly bitter
Harvest: late summer to fall
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, NT, NU
Other Names: alder-leaf shadbush, dwarf shadbush, pacific serviceberry, pigeon berry, western juneberry, western serviceberry
Other Names: crakeberry, curlewberry, heathberry, northern crowberry