shrub

Saskatoon

Amelanchier alnifolia

Updated 8 Jul 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia) — a shrub, for Full sun, Medium water.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightfull sun to partial shade
Watermedium

↑ Gives back

Fruitedible berries
Biomassmedium
Shelterhabitat for birds and small mammals

Through the year

Flowering

Flowers emerge after sufficient chill and the last spring frost, typically when air temperatures consistently rise above 50C.

Fruiting

Fruits develop and ripen approximately 45 days after flowering.

Harvest

Berries are ready for harvest shortly after ripening, typically over a 2-3 week period.

Senescence

Leaves begin to senesce and drop with the first autumn frosts and shortening day lengths.

Dormancy

The plant enters dormancy after the first hard frosts of autumn, lasting through winter.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalYes
Accumulatescalcium, magnesium, potassium
Soil textureloam, sandy_loam, clay_loam
Organic matterMedium
Compaction toleranceMedium

Propagation

Methodsseeds, cuttings, division
Difficulty2 / 5
Establishes in~2 yr
StratificationRequires cold stratification for 90-120 days at 1-50C
Self-seedingModerate
Divisionspring

Wildlife & pests

Attractspollinators, birds, small mammals
Can host pestsapple curculio, saskatoon sawfly, leafrollers
Can host diseasesrust, powdery mildew, fire blight