Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Washington Hawthorn - TreeTime.ca

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Washington Hawthorn

Amelanchier alnifolia Smoky

Crataegus phaenopyrum

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

CUSTOM GROW

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Washington Hawthorn

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.

Washington Hawthorn is an attractive ornamental shrub that is dense enough to plant as a privacy screen. It produces clusters of white blooms in late spring to early summer.

Washington Hawthorn's red berries last throughout winter, bringing squirrels and birds to your property. In the fall, its foliage turns beautiful orange, scarlet, or purple.

One of the most overlooked trees on the prairies. This tree is often used as rootstock, a wildlife attractor, or a boulevard hedge. Give this one a second look.

This species is also known as one of the more salt-tolerant species for those with saline soils.

Please note: this plant is poisonous to dogs.

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Washington Hawthorn Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 4 m (14 ft)
Height: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 4 m (12 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Fall colour: orange to red
Fall colour: orange, scarlet or purple
Flowers: white flowers in spring
Berries: produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Berries: small, red
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


In row spacing: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, YT, NT
Other Names: alder-leaf shadbush, dwarf shadbush, pacific serviceberry, pigeon berry, smokey saskatoon, smokey serviceberry, western juneberry, western serviceberry
Other Names: washington thorn