Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Sebastien Gooseberry - TreeTime.ca

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) vs Sebastien Gooseberry

Amelanchier alnifolia Smoky

Ribes uva-crispa Sebastien

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry)
Sebastien Gooseberry

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.

Sebastien Gooseberry is a nearly thornless variety that produces medium-sized, red gooseberries. When the berries are fully ripe they are quite sweet and great for fresh eating. They can be stored for up to two weeks in the fridge. For baking and preserves, they are often picked when under-ripe when they are firm and tart. The general harvest period is anywhere from July to September.

Sebastien Gooseberry is a Canadian variety that was developed at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research station in Ottawa.

Gooseberries are self-pollinating but planting with another variety will increase yields.

Smoky Saskatoon (Serviceberry) Quick Facts

Sebastien Gooseberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $7.89 - SAVE UP TO 28%
Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 4 m (14 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: orange to red
Berries: produces large edible berries great for eating raw
Berries: reddish and medium sized
Harvest: late July to September
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: low




Toxicity: leaves are toxic to humans
Other Names: alder-leaf shadbush, dwarf shadbush, pacific serviceberry, pigeon berry, smokey saskatoon, smokey serviceberry, western juneberry, western serviceberry