Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Black Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Black Elderberry

Amelanchier alnifolia Smoky

Sambucus canadensis

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Black Elderberry

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.

Black Elderberry is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. You can plant this shrub in moist areas and it will help stabilize your soil. You can also use it on rural properties anywhere you'd use a lilac.

Black Elderberries are considered to be partially self-pollinating. So while they will still produce some berries without cross-pollination, planting with another variety will increase yields. Consider planting with Ranch Elderberry or Bob Gordon Elderberry.

Warning: the seeds, stems, leaves, roots, and uncooked berries of the Black Elderberry are poisonous to humans when eaten in quantity. You should cook the berries to make them safe for human consumption.

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

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Lowest Price: $7.99 - SAVE UP TO 38%
Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 4 m (14 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: orange to red
Berries: produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Berries: black
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium




Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Other Names: alder-leaf shadbush, dwarf shadbush, pacific serviceberry, pigeon berry, smokey saskatoon, smokey serviceberry, western juneberry, western serviceberry
Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry