Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Common Snowberry - TreeTime.ca

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Common Snowberry

Amelanchier alnifolia Smoky

Symphoricarpos albus

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

(new stock expected: fall of 2027)

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Common Snowberry

Smoky Saskatoon is a large deciduous shrub that suckers and produces edible fruit. Smoky Saskatoons are one of the most productive and widely used Saskatoons and have large sweet berries with good yields.

One of the oldest and first good yielding cultivars, a majority of the commercial saskatoon orchards were based on this cultivar until Northline and other cultivars were introduced.

Smoky has slightly smaller fruit than Northline and a milder taste but is not acidic like Pembina, Thiessen or Honeywood.

Common Snowberry is a small deciduous shrub with characteristic white to pink flowers and clusters of white fruit.

This North American native species is very adaptable, and can be used for erosion control in riparian and restoration areas. Snowberry's fruit attracts wildlife, and livestock can consume the berries without issue.

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Common Snowberry Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 1a
Height: 4 m (14 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Toxicity: berries toxic to humans
Fall colour: orange to red
Bark: red-brown shredded bark
Flowers: pink to white flowers in spring
Berries: produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Berries: white waxy 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, NT
Other Names: alder-leaf shadbush, dwarf shadbush, pacific serviceberry, pigeon berry, smokey saskatoon, smokey serviceberry, western juneberry, western serviceberry
Other Names: common snowberry