Sale
Sold out
Suckering Canadian deciduous fruit shrub
Rosaceae
Extremely hardy, productive, suckering Canadian fruit shrub
Smoky Saskatoon berry
Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Smoky’
Smoky Saskatoon berry is a Canadian fruit cultivar selected at Beaverlodge, Alberta, and introduced in 1956. This multi-stemmed shrub has ascending to arching branches, suckers freely, and produces a high midseason yield. Dark-purple to black fruit is sweet, juicy, and marked by a distinctive almond flavour. Clusters of white flowers appear in spring, and green foliage turns yellow to orange in fall. Hardy to Zone 1, ‘Smoky’ reaches approximately 3 to 5 m high by 2.5 to 4 m wide (10 to 16 ft × 8 to 13 ft). It prefers full sun and cool, fertile, well-drained soil. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly.
2 gallons
Each store has its own inventory.
Products and available quantities may vary between Brossard and Laval. To check a store’s inventory, please contact us directly.
Even better: visit us in store to discover the full selection available!
- Quantity
- 2 gallons
- Exposure
- Full sun to partial shade; best yield, ripening, and sugar development in full sun
- Hardiness
- Zone 1
Discover the plant
Common nameSmoky Saskatoon berry; Smoky serviceberry; Smoky juneberry
FamilyRosaceae
GenusAmelanchier
Speciesalnifolia
CultivarSmoky
TypeSuckering Canadian deciduous fruit shrub
Botanical nameAmelanchier alnifolia ‘Smoky’
Smoky Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Smoky’) is a Canadian fruit cultivar selected at Beaverlodge, Alberta, and introduced in 1956. This extremely hardy shrub develops several ascending to arching stems and suckers freely. Clusters of white flowers appear in spring and produce a high yield of dark-purple to black midseason fruit. Its sweet, rich, distinctly almond-flavoured berries are especially valued for pies, preserves, syrups, and desserts. Green foliage turns yellow to orange in fall. Hardy to Zone 1, ‘Smoky’ reaches approximately 3 to 5 m high by 2.5 to 4 m wide (10 to 16 ft × 8 to 13 ft).
Plant ‘Smoky’ in full sun to maximize flowering, ripening, and fruit sugar. Partial shade is tolerated but may reduce the crop. Fertile, cool, well-drained loam to sandy soil is best. Dig a hole as deep as the root ball and twice as wide, keep the root flare level with the soil, and water slowly. Space shrubs 1 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 ft) apart in a fruiting hedgerow, or 2.5 to 4 m (8 to 13 ft) apart as distinct specimens. Maintain even moisture during flowering and fruit enlargement without leaving stagnant water around the roots.
Harvest fruit in mid-July when most berries in a cluster are dark purple, soft, and sweet. Because ripening can be uneven, make two passes several days apart. Birds value the crop highly; install suitable netting only after flowering and inspect it regularly. Allow suckers to form a productive hedge, or cut those extending beyond the planned space. Beginning in the fifth or sixth year, periodically remove several oldest stems at ground level to encourage new fruiting shoots. Watch for Entomosporium leaf spot, rust, powdery mildew, and fire blight. An open canopy and irrigation directed toward the soil help reduce disease risk.
Planting guide
From planting to establishment.
Spacing / density
Space shrubs 1 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 ft) apart in a fruiting hedgerow; root suckers will fill the gaps. For distinct specimens, allow 2.5 to 4 m (8 to 13 ft) between centres. Keep an accessible strip on each side for harvesting, pruning, and sucker control.
Best planting time
In spring after the soil thaws, or in early fall at least six weeks before persistent frost
Propagation
Cuttings, tissue culture, or division of rooted suckers to preserve the ‘Smoky’ cultivar faithfully; seed does not reproduce the variety identically
Soil and care
The right care,at the right time.
Soil pH
Slightly acidic to neutral, ideally approximately 6.0 to 7.5
Minimum temperature
Approximately -45 °C (-49 °F), Zone 1
Care level
Low to moderate
Drought tolerance
Yes
Watering
Water deeply once or twice weekly during the first season when rainfall is insufficient, then adjust frequency to weather and drainage. Soil should remain cool without becoming waterlogged. An established tree tolerates moderate drought, but irrigation during bloom, fruit development, and prolonged heat supports vigour. Direct water toward the root zone rather than foliage to limit disease. Check moisture beneath mulch before watering again.
Soil type
Cool, fertile, well-drained soil with loamy, sandy, or loosened clay texture is suitable. Slightly acidic to neutral conditions support vigour and nutrient availability. The tree adapts to several soils after establishment, but prolonged drought reduces fruiting and may scorch leaves. Stagnant water, severe compaction, and repeated salt deposits increase stress and disease risk. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly.
Fertilization
Fertilizer is generally unnecessary in fertile soil. In spring, spread a thin layer of mature compost over the root zone without touching the trunk. When a soil test identifies a deficiency, apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer according to its label. Avoid excess nitrogen because it encourages tender shoots, may reduce fruiting, and can increase susceptibility to fire blight. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly.
Moisture
Moderate and even; cool soil without stagnant water
Seasonal care
In spring, inspect bark and remove dead, crossing, or damaged branches before budbreak. White clusters appear early; avoid broad-spectrum insecticides during bloom to protect bees and butterflies. After flowering, prune only lightly because buds form on the previous season’s wood. In early summer, monitor ripening fruit and harvest when it becomes purple-black. Irrigate during dry periods to limit premature fruit drop. In summer, watch for rust, powdery mildew, leaf spots, or fire blight; remove affected shoots with disinfected tools and avoid wetting foliage. In fall, enjoy orange-red colour, renew mulch without piling it against the trunk, and water until freeze-up when soil remains dry. In winter, protect the trunk from rodents and avoid piling salt-laden snow over the root zone. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly. This attention supports a healthy, productive, lasting tree. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly. This attention supports a healthy, productive, lasting tree. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly. This attention supports a healthy, productive, lasting tree. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly. This attention supports a healthy, productive, lasting tree. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly. This attention supports a healthy, productive, lasting tree. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly. This attention supports a healthy, productive, lasting tree.
Container growing
A garden,within reach.
Recommended pot size
At least 75 to 100 L (20 to 25 US gal) for temporary culture
Container culture is best limited to young trees for a temporary period. Use a stable pot holding at least 75 to 100 L (20 to 25 US gal) with numerous holes and a structured well-drained mix. Water regularly, protect the root ball from freeze-thaw cycles, and transplant into the ground before roots become strongly circling.
Bloom and dimensions
Its place,in your garden.
Mature height
3 to 4 m (10 to 13 feet)
Width / spread
2 m (6.5 ft)
Flower color
White
Foliage color
Medium green in summer, yellow to orange in fall
Foliage type
Deciduous; simple, oval, finely toothed, glossy leaves
Growth rate
Moderate
Growth habit
Bushy and multi-stemmed, with ascending to arching branches and free suckering
Fragrance
Light floral fragrance
Bloom period
Numerous five-petalled white flowers open in slightly drooping clusters in early spring, before or as leaves unfold. Light fragrance and nectar attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Bloom is generally more abundant in full sun. Protect flowers from insecticide sprays to support pollination and good fruit set. The white display contrasts with bronze-purple emerging foliage. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly.
Fruiting
A high midseason crop generally ripens around mid-July. Fruit changes from red to dark purple or black and ripens somewhat unevenly. Sweet flesh has a pronounced almond note. Two harvesting passes improve quality. Birds may remove ripe fruit quickly; netting installed after flowering can protect part of the crop. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly.
Harvest
Harvest around mid-July when most fruit in a cluster is dark purple, soft, and sweet. Pick ripe berries first and return several days later. Chill the crop promptly and use it fresh, frozen, dried, or processed. Properly secured netting installed after flowering can protect clusters without interfering with pollinators.
Garden associations
In goodcompany.
Companion plants
Pair ‘Smoky’ with haskaps, gooseberries, currants, raspberries, strawberries, and flowering herbs in an edible garden. Maintain accessible space around the row for harvesting, pruning, and sucker control. Avoid highly competitive plants directly around the stems. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly. This attention supports a healthy, productive, lasting shrub. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly. This attention supports a healthy, productive, lasting shrub. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly. This attention supports a healthy, productive, lasting shrub.
Plants to avoid
Avoid stagnant water, severely compacted soil, dense shade, and insufficient moisture during fruit enlargement. Entomosporium leaf spot, rust, powdery mildew, and fire blight can occur. Irrigate at soil level, maintain adequate spacing among stems, and remove diseased wood. Birds and uneven ripening are the main harvest challenges. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly. This attention supports a healthy, productive, lasting shrub. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly. This attention supports a healthy, productive, lasting shrub.
Recipe idea
From the gardento your plate.
Edible parts
Ripe purple-black fruit, fresh or cooked; remove stems before preparation
For a simple compote, combine 500 ml (2 cups) of washed serviceberries with 30 to 45 ml (2 to 3 tbsp) maple syrup and 15 ml (1 tbsp) lemon juice. Simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring until fruit bursts. Serve over yogurt, pancakes, or ice cream, or freeze in small portions.
Frequently asked questions
Your questions,answered.
How large does Smoky Saskatoon berry grow?
Smoky Saskatoon berry reaches approximately 3 to 5 m high by 2.5 to 4 m wide (10 to 16 ft × 8 to 13 ft). Its branches are ascending to arching, and multiple stems emerge from the base. The cultivar suckers freely and can form a row wider than the original plant. In a fruiting hedge, space shrubs 1 to 1.5 m (3 to 5 ft) apart and allow selected suckers to fill gaps. For distinct specimens, allow 2.5 to 4 m (8 to 13 ft) and remove suckers extending beyond the planned area. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly.
What do Smoky Saskatoon berries taste like?
Smoky fruit is sweet, juicy, and known for a stronger almond flavour than many other Saskatoon berries. This aromatic note is especially suitable for pies, muffins, preserves, jelly, compote, syrup, and dried fruit. Harvest when berries are dark purple to black, soft, and easy to detach. Because a cluster does not always ripen uniformly, pick dark fruit and return several days later. Chill berries promptly after harvest. They keep for several days in the refrigerator and freeze well when first spread in a single layer before being transferred to bags or containers. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly.
Can one Smoky Saskatoon berry produce fruit?
One Smoky Saskatoon berry can produce fruit because alder-leaved serviceberries are generally self-fertile. Another compatible cultivar nearby can increase pollen diversity and may improve crop size or consistency. Production depends mainly on abundant bloom, pollinator visits, adequate moisture, and avoiding severe frost during flowering. Plant in full sun, avoid insecticides during bloom, and irrigate when spring is dry. Birds harvest fruit rapidly, so watch clusters as they change from red to purple. An apparently empty shrub may have produced berries that wildlife removed before you noticed them. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly. This attention supports a healthy, productive, lasting shrub.
When and how should Smoky Saskatoon berry be pruned?
During the first years, remove only dead, broken, crossing, or diseased stems. Beginning in the fifth or sixth year, start gradual renewal: cut one or two oldest stems at ground level after harvest or during dormancy, then retain well-placed young suckers as replacements. A mixture of young and mature stems supports regular production. Remove suckers extending beyond the planned width, but let them fill a fruiting hedge. Use clean tools, avoid shortening every branch, and do not remove more than one-quarter of the shrub in a single year. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly. This attention supports a healthy, productive, lasting shrub.
Why does Smoky fruit ripen unevenly?
Some uneven ripening is normal for Smoky Saskatoon berry: fruit in one cluster can change from red to purple-black over several days. Reduced sunlight, a cool spring, insufficient moisture, or a very heavy crop can increase the difference. Wait until most berries are dark, then harvest in two passes instead of removing the entire cluster at once. Maintain cool soil during fruit enlargement and thin old stems to improve light penetration. Birds often select the first ripe berries, which can also make the crop appear irregular. Inspect clusters frequently as harvest approaches and chill picked fruit promptly. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly.
Wildlife and pets
Life,around your plants.
Attracts birds
Yes
Native plant
Yes
Supporting wildlife
Flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, butterflies, and other insects. Fruit feeds songbirds, grouse, and small mammals. Foliage hosts certain caterpillars, including viceroy and red-spotted purple butterflies. Leave part of the crop on the tree and avoid broad-spectrum insecticides during bloom. For best results, inspect soil, foliage, and growth regularly.