Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Pygmy Caragana - TreeTime.ca

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Pygmy Caragana

Amelanchier alnifolia Smoky

Caragana pygmaea

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

CUSTOM GROW

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Pygmy Caragana

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.

Pygmy Caragana is a shrub that is related to Common Caragana and has a compact size that is suitable for yards with limited space. Its size is perfect for landscaping and decorative hedges, and requires little maintenance. This nitrogen fixer has fine-textured foliage and small yellow flowers. Much like Common Caragana, it is hardy and drought tolerant.

Popular as a low maintenance commercial landscaping shrub and for hedging. This species does have tiny spines that might poke you a bit. It has a nice appealing texture when mature.

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Pygmy Caragana Quick Facts

Zone: 1a
Zone: 2b
Height: 4 m (14 ft)
Height: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: none


Fall colour: orange to red
Flowers: prolific tiny yellow pea-like flowers
Berries: produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Seeds: prolific seedpods are edible
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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: pygmy peashrub