Saskatoon Berry ‘Smokey’ Serviceberry Seeds (Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Smokey’) – Hardy, flavorful berries rich in antioxidants; perfect for cold climates, wildlife gardens, and homesteads.

Minimum: 10+ Seeds

Discover the rich taste and enduring beauty of the Saskatoon Berry ‘Smokey’ Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Smokey’), one of North America’s most beloved native fruits. Celebrated for its sweet, nutty flavor, impressive cold hardiness, and high nutritional value, this heirloom variety has been cherished for centuries by Indigenous peoples and early settlers alike. Its adaptability, resilience, and delicious harvests make it an ideal choice for home orchards, edible landscapes, wildlife gardens, and permaculture systems.

‘Smokey’ is a particularly well-known cultivar of Amelanchier alnifolia, selected for its large, uniform berries, heavy yields, and sweet, low-acid flavor—often compared to blueberries with a hint of almond. This multi-stemmed shrub or small tree not only provides delicious fruit but also four seasons of ornamental appeal: spring brings fragrant white blossoms, summer offers lush green foliage and purple-blue berries, autumn glows with red and orange leaves, and winter reveals a graceful, silver-gray form.

A true cold-climate champion, Saskatoon ‘Smokey’ thrives in temperatures as low as -40°F (-40°C) and is perfectly suited for northern regions, high elevations, and short growing seasons. Its deep roots, drought tolerance, and ability to thrive in poor soils make it a staple for sustainable farming and regenerative landscapes.

🌱 Growing Information:

• Scientific Name: Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Smokey’

• Common Names: Saskatoon Berry, Serviceberry, Juneberry

• Plant Type: Deciduous shrub or small tree

• Growth Habit: Upright, multi-stemmed; dense and bushy

• Height: 8–15 ft (2.5–4.5 m)

• Spread: 6–12 ft (1.8–3.6 m)

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade (full sun yields best fruit production)

• Soil Requirements: Well-draining loam or sandy soil; tolerates clay and poor soils. Prefers pH 6.0–7.5.

• Water Needs: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established but appreciates consistent moisture during fruiting.

• Cold Hardiness: Extremely hardy (USDA Zones 2–7)

• Germination: Seeds require cold stratification for 90–120 days; sow in fall or stratify indoors before spring planting. Germination may take several weeks after stratification.

• Spacing: 4–6 ft apart for hedges, 8–10 ft for individual shrubs.

• Time to Fruiting: 3–4 years from seed; earlier if propagated by cutting or division.

🍓 Fruit & Culinary Uses:

1. Flavor Profile:
Saskatoon berries are prized for their sweet, nutty, and mildly almond-like flavor, making them a unique alternative to blueberries. ‘Smokey’ berries are slightly larger and juicier than most varieties, with a rich, dark purple hue at ripeness.

2. Fresh Eating:
Perfect for snacking straight from the bush! Their flavor is balanced and mild, without the acidity of many other berries.

3. Preserves & Baked Goods:
Ideal for pies, muffins, syrups, jellies, and jams, Saskatoon berries retain their shape and color beautifully when cooked. They are a Canadian classic for Saskatoon berry pie, pancake toppings, and homemade wine or liqueur.

4. Nutritional Benefits:
These berries are a superfruit—rich in antioxidants, anthocyanins, fiber, vitamin C, iron, and manganese. They support heart health, immune strength, and cellular repair, offering a delicious way to boost nutrition naturally.

🦋 Ecological & Landscape Value:

1. Wildlife Magnet:
Birds, bees, and butterflies are irresistibly drawn to Saskatoon shrubs. The spring blossoms provide nectar for pollinators, while the summer berries feed songbirds, grouse, and small mammals.

2. Four-Season Beauty:
From spring blooms to fall color, ‘Smokey’ provides ornamental appeal year-round, making it a versatile choice for home landscapes and hedgerows.

3. Soil & Habitat Improvement:
The deep, fibrous roots stabilize soil, prevent erosion, and support biodiversity in native plantings. As part of a permaculture design, Saskatoon serves as a nitrogen-friendly companion and a fruiting understory shrub in forest gardens.

🌿 Growing & Care Tips:

• Planting: Choose a sunny, well-drained site; amend soil with compost if heavy or compacted.

• Watering: Deeply water during the first growing season; once established, water during long dry periods.

• Fertilizing: Apply compost or balanced organic fertilizer in early spring. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can reduce fruiting.

• Pruning: Thin older canes every 3–4 years to encourage new growth and maintain airflow.

• Pollination: While self-fertile, fruit yield improves when multiple plants are grown for cross-pollination.

• Winter Protection: Not required in most climates; extremely frost-hardy. Mulch in fall to protect roots and retain soil moisture.

🌎 Cultural Significance & Sustainability:

The Saskatoon berry is a cherished symbol of the Canadian prairies, long used by Indigenous peoples as a staple food. Traditionally dried and mixed with bison meat and fat to create pemmican, Saskatoon berries provided vital nutrients and energy through harsh winters. Today, they remain a symbol of heritage, sustainability, and self-sufficiency.

‘Smokey’ continues this legacy as one of the best cultivars for cold-climate gardening, offering both beauty and bounty. Its ability to thrive in marginal soils, resist pests, and support wildlife makes it a key plant for regenerative homesteads and resilient landscapes.

🌸 Summary:

• Cold-hardy heirloom shrub with sweet, antioxidant-rich berries

• Ideal for edible gardens, food forests, and wildlife plantings

• Low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and pest-resistant

• Offers four-season beauty and high ecological value

• Perfect for northern growers, permaculture enthusiasts, and small farms