Amelanchier alnifolia Greatberry Garden

Amelanchier alnifolia Greatberry Garden or Northline is a beautiful fruit bush that is characterised by very abundant production from the first years, early on, with fruits ripening quite closely together, which facilitates the picking and processing of fruits over a short period of time. It produces firm fruits (amelanches), of a large size, measuring 13 to 16 mm (0.5 - 0.6 in) in diameter, weighing around 20 g, with a globular shape, grouped in clusters of 7 to 13 berries. The black-blue skin is covered with a lighter-colored waxy film (pruina), resembling blackcurrant or aronia. The berries contain a juicy flesh with a sweet and sugary flavor, reminiscent of blueberries with a slight acidity, hiding 5 to 10 brown seeds with a hint of bitter almond fragrance. It is a fruit of great nutritional value.

Amelanchier alnifolia, sometimes commonly called Saskatoon berry, Alder-leaved Serviceberry or Tree Blueberry, belongs to the Rosaceae family, like Apple Trees, Cherry Trees, Pear Trees, etc. Native to North America, Amelanchier alnifolia is found in western Canada, western and central United States, and Alaska.  It can be found in various environments, from riverbanks to less favourable rocky slopes exposed to wind, up to an altitude of 2000 m (6500 ft). It prefers slightly acidic and moist soil and can adapt to relatively dry and hot summers once established. The Amelanchier berry is sometimes called: amelanche, Saskatoon, juneberry or petite poire in Quebec. The name 'Saskatoon', an anglicization of a word belonging to the Cree language, can be translated as "the fruit of the tree with many branches". This fruit gave its name to the Canadian city of Saskatoon, on the banks of the Saskatchewan River.

The Greatberry Garden or Northline variety is a selection obtained in the 1970s by John Wallace (Beaverlodge Nursery) in Beaverlodge, Alberta, Canada, and introduced into cultivation in 1960. It forms a bushy and ramified shrub with a rounded shape, reaching approximately 3 m (10 ft) in height and 2 m (6-7 ft) in width at maturity. Its growth is slow in the first years, allowing it to establish well. Its bark is grey to brown, sometimes tinged with red. Smooth when young, it becomes rougher over time. Its deciduous foliage consists of oval to obovate, alternate, dentate leaves, resembling those of the Alder. Coppery in spring, the leaves then turn dark green on the upper side and grey-green on the lower side, ending with shades of orange-red in autumn. The young spring leaves are slightly fuzzy, they then become tougher, measuring 3 to 5 cm (2 in) in length and 2 to 4 cm (1.6 in) in width, with prominent veins. Very hardy, the shrub withstands severe winters with temperatures dropping to -30 °C.

The flowering, remarkably decorative, is very abundant in April-May, taking place at the tips of young branches that can be bare or already adorned with young leaves, depending on the climate. Flowering and fruiting occur rapidly in this Amelanchier, around the age of 3-4 years. The white flowers, with 5 petals and yellow stamens, measuring 2 cm (0.8 in) in diameter, are gathered in clusters along the branches. The bisexual flowers possess both female (pistils) and male (stamens with anthers) reproductive organs, which are self-pollinating, making this shrub completely self-fertile. Nectar-rich and attractive to pollinators (bees, bumblebees, butterflies, hoverflies, etc.) and birds. A single plant can produce 4 to 5 kg and up to 8 kg of fruits annually depending on the growing conditions and soil fertility. Planting multiple plants will optimise fruit production.

The fruits ripen between late June and early August, and the harvest spans over about twenty days as the berries ripen. The harvest is done by hand or with a blueberry comb when they easily detach from their peduncle. Like apple, pear, quince, etc., the Amelanchier is a complex fruit, called a pome (syn. perydium), consisting of a floral receptacle that becomes fleshy and fused to the ovary. They can be consumed right after harvesting. However, one will need to compete with birds (especially blackbirds) or use a net. Their fresh storage life is relatively short, about 2 to 3 days in the bottom of the refrigerator, but they can be frozen, dried, or preserved for later use. Juicy, sweet, and aromatic, Amelanchier berries can be consumed fresh or cooked. They are a low-calorie fruit, rich in antioxidants and fibre, and well-endowed with minerals (manganese, magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium), beta-carotene, and vitamins. Rich in pectin, they are ideal for making jams or jellies. In cooking, they can be used in pastries (muffins, clafoutis, tarts, cheesecakes, cookies, etc.), compotes, syrups, sauces, or ice creams. They are also appreciated for making wine or liqueur or for flavoring vinegar.

Amelanchier alnifolia is easy to cultivate and undemanding. It prefers a sunny or partially shaded site. In summer it provides the satisfaction of beautiful harvests and the pleasure of tasting delicious fruits that can be used in various culinary preparations. To create a fruitful hedge, it can be planted alongside other fruiting Amelanchier varieties, Sea Buckthorns (Hippophae rhamnoides), Aronia, Currants, Raspberries, Goji (Lycium barbarum), Baie de mai (Lonicera kamtschatica), Goumi (Elaeagnus multiflora et umbellata), Redcurrants (Ribes rubrum), Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus), Blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum), Elderberry (Sambucus nigra). This charming shrub can easily be incorporated into country-style hedges or colourful and lively flower beds, alongside Ornamental Apple and Cherry Trees, Flowering Quince, Forsythia, Deciduous Euonymus, Guelder Rose, Portuguese Laurel, Osmanthus, Spirea, Winter Honeysuckle (Lonicera fragantissima), Snowberry, etc. Its preference for neutral to acidic soil allows it to accompany acid-loving plants such as Camellias, Azaleas, and Rhododendrons. It can also be used in the background of borders with lower-growing perennials or shrubs.