Smokey Serviceberry

Amelanchier alnifolia 'Smokey'

Exceptional Cold Hardiness: Thrives in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 2-7, making it one of the most resilient edible shrubs for northern climates.
Productive Mature Size: Reaches a manageable 8-10 feet tall and wide at maturity, allowing for easy harvesting without a ladder.
Superior Fruit Quality: Produces large, 1/2-inch diameter berries with a high sugar content and small, inconspicuous seeds compared to other Saskatoon cultivars.
Versatile Landscape Use: Functions effectively as a privacy screen, a focal point in a pollinator garden, or a mass planting for erosion control.

$43⁸⁰

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Understanding Plant Options

Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:

Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements

Container Plant Sizes

Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.

Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2" x 2" x 3"	0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts	0.20 - 0.23 dry liters
4" Container	0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts	0.35 - 0.96 dry liters
4.5" Container	0.65 dry quarts	0.72 dry liters
6" Container	1.4 dry quarts	1.59 dry liters
1 Quart	1 dry quart	1.1 dry liters
5.5" Container	1.89 dry quarts	2.08 dry liters

Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
2 Quart	2 dry quarts	2.2 dry liters
#1 Container	2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts	2.49 - 4.11 dry liters
5" x 5" x 12"	3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts	3.85 - 4.74 dry liters

Mature Plants (2-4 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#2 Container	1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons	5.24 - 7.75 dry liters
#3 Container	2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons	8.14 - 12.16 dry liters

Large Plants (3-5 years old)

Container Size	Actual Volume	Metric Equivalent
#5 Container	2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons	12.86 - 20.35 dry liters
#6 Container	5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons	23.12 - 26.42 dry liters
#7 Container	5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons	26.34 - 28.76 dry liters

Bare Root Plants

Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.

Common Sizes:

Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet

Important Notes

Container Volume Specifications

Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents

Growing Conditions

Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment

Seasonal Availability

Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
Container plants are available throughout the growing season
Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes

Questions?

For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.

Plant Profile & Growing Essentials

Cold hardy, Edible, Flowering, Attracts pollinators, Fast-growing, Fragrant, and Drought resistant

Specifications

Botanical Name

Amelanchier alnifolia 'Smokey'
Height

8-10 Feet
Width

8-10 Feet
Growing Zones

3-8
Sunlight
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Growth Rate

Moderate
Flower Color
- White
Leaf Color
- Green
Native

Yes
Pollinator Friendly

Yes
Fragrant

Yes
Bloom Period

Early Spring, Late Spring, Early Summer, Late Summer
Does Not Ship To

AK, HI, ID, MT

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Provide full sun for at least 6 hours a day to maximize fruit production and ensure the sweetest berry flavor. While it will grow in partial shade, you will see a noticeable drop in bloom density and the brilliant orange fall color will be more muted.
Soil: Choose a location with well drained soil that is rich in organic material. If you are dealing with heavy clay, mix in compost or peat moss to improve aeration because this variety hates having "wet feet" for extended periods.

Watering Requirements

During the first two growing seasons, give your Smokey Serviceberry about an inch of water per week to help the root system lock into your native soil. Once established, the plant is moderately drought tolerant, but you should still provide supplemental water when the fruit is forming in early summer. If the soil stays too dry during fruit set, the berries will be small and seedy rather than plump and juicy.

Pruning Tips

Serviceberries bloom on old wood, so the best time to prune for shape is in late winter or very early spring before the leaves appear. Focus on removing about a third of the oldest, thickest stems every few years to encourage "renewal" growth from the base of the plant. This keeps the shrub from becoming too dense, which allows sunlight and air to reach the center to prevent powdery mildew and help the inner berries ripen.

Fertilizer Needs

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring just as the flower buds begin to swell. Do not use high nitrogen fertilizers after mid summer because this triggers a flush of soft new growth that will not have time to "harden off" before the first freeze. This late season growth is very susceptible to winter kill, which can damage the overall structure of your shrub.

If you’re looking for a hard-working multitasker that brings both gourmet fruit and four-season beauty to your yard, let me introduce you to the Smokey Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia 'Smokey'). Often called the Saskatoon Berry or Western Juneberry, this particular cultivar is widely considered the gold standard for fruit production. It’s a versatile, multi-stemmed shrub that feels just as at home in a formal edible landscape as it does in a rugged windbreak or a wildlife-friendly hedgerow.

Spring Blooms and Pollinator Appeal

The show starts in early spring when the Smokey Serviceberry is smothered in a cloud of fragrant, star-shaped white flowers. These blossoms emerge just as the foliage begins to unfurl, providing a critical early nectar source for bees and butterflies. Because 'Smokey' blooms slightly later than some other Amelanchier species, it often escapes the late spring frosts that can nip the flowers of more sensitive fruit trees.

Summer Bounty: The Gourmet Saskatoon

By June or July, the flowers give way to heavy clusters of berries. The 'Smokey' cultivar is famous for its large, round, dark-purple fruit that looks remarkably like a blueberry but carries a complex, nutty flavor with a hint of almond. These berries have a higher flesh-to-seed ratio than wild varieties, making them the top choice for pies, preserves, and fresh eating. Just be prepared to share—songbirds find these nutrient-dense pomes absolutely irresistible.

Autumn Color and Winter Structure

As the summer heat fades, the Smokey Serviceberry doesn't stop performing. The deep green, rounded leaves transition into a vibrant display of yellow, orange, and occasional red hues. Once the leaves drop, you’re left with a clean, upright architectural form and smooth gray bark that provides visual interest against the winter snow. This is a tough-as-nails shrub that stands up to heavy snow loads and harsh winds without losing its graceful shape.

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Growing Zones 3-8

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to plant Smokey Serviceberry and how should I do it?

Early spring or fall is the ideal time to plant while the shrub is dormant. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper. Ensure the crown of the plant is level with the soil line. For a "fruiting hedge" effect, space your plants about 4-6 feet apart; for individual specimen plants, give them at least 10 feet of breathing room to allow for full air circulation.

What are the watering and fertilizing needs?

While established Serviceberries are somewhat drought-tolerant, they produce the juiciest fruit with consistent moisture. Provide about an inch of water per week during the fruiting season. In early spring, apply a balanced organic fertilizer before new growth begins, but avoid over-fertilizing with high nitrogen, as this can encourage lush foliage at the expense of berries.

Does the Smokey Serviceberry require heavy pruning?

Not at all. You really only need to prune to maintain shape or remove "the three Ds": dead, damaged, or diseased wood. If you want to rejuvenate an older plant, you can remove one-third of the oldest stems down to the ground every winter. This encourages new, productive suckers to emerge from the base.

Is this variety resistant to deer and pests?

Deer will occasionally browse the young tender shoots, especially in winter, so protection with netting or repellent is recommended for the first two years. Once established, they are quite resilient. Like many members of the Rosaceae family, they can be susceptible to rust or leaf spot, but 'Smokey' is noted for its overall vigor and ability to outgrow minor aesthetic issues.

Can I grow Smokey Serviceberry in a container?

Because 'Smokey' grows to about 10 feet, it is best suited for the ground. However, you can successfully grow it in a large stock tank or a 20-gallon (or larger) permanent planter for several years. Just ensure the container has excellent drainage and that you monitor soil moisture more closely than you would for an in-ground plant.

Under $50	$9.99
$50 - $99.99	$14.99
$100 - $149.99	$16.99
$150 - $198.99	$24.99
$199+	FREE

Smokey Serviceberry

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