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

Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Black Crowberry

Amelanchier alnifolia Northline

Empetrum nigrum

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

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 spiral around the stem, and small dark berries, giving it visual appeal. The berries are edible, but can be acidic, so are not generally eaten fresh. In colder climates they have a sweet, tart taste, and are dried, used in deserts, or for making jams or jellies.
It provides food for birds and mammals, while its flowers attract pollinators such as bees. Its ability to grow in harsh climates makes it an important species for ecological balance.
Black Crowberry has historical significance as it provided a vital food source for the indigenous cultures of the arctic regions. It is abundant in Scandinavia and is used to make liqueurs, wines, and juices. In Newfoundland and Labrador the berries are known locally as ‘blackberries’ and are used in jams, jellies and baked goods like buns and puddings.

Northline Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Black Crowberry Quick Facts

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