Saskatoon-Beere (Amelanchier alnifolia)

created by Möwe at 11.02.2025

Features

Color

blue-black

Taste

sweet

soury

Slightly bitter

Fruit shape

around

Growth habit

growth habit: compact

growth habit: bushy

growth habit: upright

Location

planting: bed

planting: outdoor

Heat requirement: high

light: sunny to semi-shady

Season Overview

Sowing

Harvest

J

F

M

A

M

J

A

S

O

N

D

1ST YEAR

FOLLOWING YEARS

Description

Rock pears (Amelanchier) belong to the apple-fruiting pome fruit family (Pyrinae) within the rose family (Rosaceae). The genus Amelanchier comprises around 25 species, almost all of which are found in North America. Rock pears are deciduous, deciduous, upright-growing shrubs or small trees. The plant is multi-stemmed and can reach a height of up to 10 meters. In April-May, the numerous white, star-shaped, fragrant flowers appear in racemes. The small, dark purple to blue-black fruits of the rock pear ripen at the end of June. They have a sweet and juicy taste and are very popular with birds and insects. Saskatoon berry is the Canadian name for the alder-leaved rock pear (Amelanchier alnifolia) The compact shrub with an upright habit grows 2-4 meters high and 2-3 meters wide. The creamy white flowers, which exude a sweet fragrance, open at the end of April. The juicy fruits can be harvested around seven to eight weeks after flowering. The crown forms an umbrella shape. In autumn, the Saskatoon berry impresses with beautiful leaf coloration ranging from yellow to orange to bright red.

Non hybrid

Frostproof

Growing tips

The best time to plant rock pear seedlings is in spring. If the plant is grown from seed, the best time is in the fall, as rock pears are cold germinators. Sowing in spring is also possible after stratification (a few weeks in the refrigerator). Rock pears are very tolerant of their location and soil. However, a sunny to semi-shady location with slightly sandy, well-drained, slightly acidic soil would be ideal. Shade and wet, highly acidic soils should be avoided. Rock pear is completely hardy. When pruning the rock pear, you should limit yourself to thinning out the shrub and removing dead wood. Rock pears do not tolerate radical pruning. The Saskatoon berry is hardy and undemanding. It thrives in all types of soil. A sunny to semi-shady spot with slightly sandy, well-drained soil is ideal. Fertilization is usually not necessary and pruning is only required to remove dead shoots.