Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Ninebark - TreeTime.ca

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Ninebark

Amelanchier alnifolia Smoky

Physocarpus opulifolius

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

CUSTOM GROW

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Ninebark

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.

Ninebark is a small, multi-stemmed shrub, that is used to add texture or colour to any yard.

It features flaky, cinnamon-brown bark, attractive white flowers, and long, maple-like leaves.

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Ninebark Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2a
Height: 4 m (14 ft)
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: slow
Life span: short
Life span: long
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Fall colour: orange to red
Flowers: small white clusters
Berries: produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Berries: small pink to purple berry like follicles
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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