Serviceberry, Juneberry/saskatoon, Bare Root

Serviceberry, Juneberry / Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia)

Also known as Juneberry or Saskatoon, Amelanchier alnifolia is a hardy, multi-stemmed native shrub valued for its highly nutritious, sweet berries and exceptional adaptability to cold, dry climates. Native to the northern Great Plains, Rocky Mountains, and into Canada, this species forms dense thickets that offer year-round habitat and food for wildlife. Its blueberry-like fruits are rich in antioxidants and have been traditionally used by Indigenous peoples for both food and medicine. A superb choice for edible hedgerows, regenerative grazing systems, and permaculture food forests in northern and western climates.

Key Characteristics

• Highly nutritious, antioxidant-rich berries
  The dark purple fruits resemble blueberries but with a unique, sweet, nutty flavor. High in anthocyanins, fiber, and iron, they are excellent for fresh eating, drying, baking, and preserves. Indigenous communities traditionally dried the berries for winter storage and used them in pemmican.
• Cold-hardy and drought-tolerant
  Amelanchier alnifolia is one of the most cold-tolerant serviceberries, thriving in USDA zones 2–7. Its deep root system and tough constitution allow it to succeed in dry, well-drained soils and windy conditions, making it an excellent shrub for prairie restorations and drought-prone sites.
• Supports birds, pollinators, and insect diversity
  Blooms in early spring, providing a critical nectar and pollen source for emerging native bees. Its berries are a favorite of songbirds like cedar waxwings, orioles, and robins. Also supports larval stages of several native moth and butterfly species.
• Useful in hedgerows, silvopasture, and erosion control
  Its dense growth habit and suckering nature make Saskatoon excellent for creating wildlife hedges, windbreaks, or natural fencing in regenerative agriculture systems. It also stabilizes soil on slopes and disturbed sites, especially in dryland reforestation and prairie-edge buffers.
• Minimal maintenance and long lifespan
  Once established, Juneberry is low-maintenance, long-lived, and rarely troubled by pests or diseases. Pruning can help manage size and encourage airflow in humid regions, but it thrives without intervention in most climates.

Product Details

• Native range: Western and northern North America
• Plant life cycle: Perennial, deciduous shrub
• Sun requirements: Full sun to part shade
• Soil requirements: Dry to medium, well-drained
• Mature height: 6–15 ft
• Bloom time: Early spring
• Bloom color: White
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 2–7

Saskatoon serviceberry is a rugged, productive native shrub that brings food, beauty, and biodiversity to northern gardens and landscapes. Perfect for food forests, hedgerows, or as a cold-climate fruit crop.