Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster) - TreeTime.ca

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster)

Cotoneaster lucidus

Amelanchier alnifolia Smoky

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster)
Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry)

The Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster) is a dense, deciduous shrub that gets its name from the glossy dark green leaves that turn an eye-catching mix of red and purple in the fall.
It produces small, pink flowers in spring and by late summer they are followed by red berries that ripen to black. This plant is great for attracting wildlife as it is loved by both birds and butterflies.

While the Shiny Cotoneaster does produce berries, they are inedible to humans. This plant takes pruning and shearing well, making it easy to shape to your liking and is a great choice for a hedge or privacy screen in your yard.

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.

Shiny Cotoneaster (Hedge Cotoneaster) Quick Facts

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

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

Toxicity: may cause stomach upset

Foliage: shiny
Fall colour: mix of yellow scarlet, red, purple
Fall colour: orange to red
Flowers: small, pale pink
Berries: produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


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