Saskatoon Berry SEEDS ,Amelanchier alnifolia, Regent Caribbeangarenseeed

Uses

Best in shrub borders, woodland gardens or naturalized areas, especially with dark or shaded backdrops which tend to highlight the form, flowers and fall color of the plant. Also effective along stream banks and ponds.

The Saskatoon berry is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and higher in fibre and protein than most fruits because the seeds are edible. The fruit is sweet, with dense, juicy flesh and excellent fresh, frozen, or dried. Use it in any recipe that calls for blueberries.‘

Regent’ is a compact, deciduous, stoloniferous, early-flowering cultivar which typically grows only 4-6′ tall. Edible berries resemble blueberries in size and color and are often used in jams, jellies and pies.

Amelanchier alnifolia is a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree which may grow to 18′ tall. Features showy, 5-petaled, white flowers (to 3/4″ diameter) in compact clusters which appear in early spring (April) before the leaves. Flowers give way to small, round, edible berries which ripen to dark purplish-black in June and resemble blueberries in size, color and taste. Berries may be eaten fresh off the plant or used in jams, jellies and pies. Finely-toothed, oval-rounded leaves are pale to dark green. Foliage turns variable shades of yellow in autumn. The species is commonly called Saskatoon serviceberry or western serviceberry, and some species cultivars have been grown commercially for fruit production.

 GROWING INSTRUCTIONS

– Soak seeds for 24 hours. Follow 90 days cold, moist stratification. 

*If you are doing the cold period in your fridge, please check on your seeds. 90 days is an estimate & they may sprout sooner.*

– Plant stratified seeds in deep pots or a nursery bed using standard potting soil. Heat mats are NOT required & can hinder germination!

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerant of a somewhat wide range of soils. Root suckers are common, and if not removed, will result in a shrubby growth habit for the plant.