SASKATOON SERVICEBERRY Amelanchier alnifolia
Amelanchier alnifolia, the saskatoon berry, ia also known as Pacific serviceberry, western serviceberry, western shadbush, or western juneberry. It is a shrub with an edible fruit, and is native to North America. It most often grows to 1–8 metres (3–26 feet) tall.
With a sweet, nutty taste, the fruits have long been eaten by Indigenous peoples in Canada, fresh or dried. They are used in saskatoon berry pie, jam, wines, cider, beers, and sugar-infused berries similar to dried cranberries used for cereals, trail mix, and snack foods.
Location: Sun
Hardiness zones: 2-7
Seeds per pack: 3
Germination: These seeds require a period of moist cold to help them break dormancy. This is done by giving them a cold 'winter' period (artificial or natural), and then a warming to simulate 'spring', and time to grow! Here's how this can be done:
Obtain a planting container that has holes in the bottom for excess water to drain. Place the seeds on the surface of your growing medium, and water in. Do not bury the seeds, as light may aid germination at the next stage. Place your container in a cold area (but not freezing, perhaps a refrigerator) for 90 days. Once the cold period is completed, place the container at room temperature for them to germinate. Be sure to keep the soil moist during this entire germination period. Seedlings will sprout a few weeks, or occasionally several months, after the warming period.
