Martin Serviceberry

Amelanchier alnifolia 'Martin'. Descendant of Thiessen cultivar. Vigorous shrub with upright habit. Produces clusters of white flowers in early spring. Self-fertile. Does sucker with time to form highly productive thickets. Multi-stemmed deciduous shrub/small tree.

Large fruits with improved uniform ripening habit. Deep purple-blue berries with powder blue overtones. Flavourful and juicy. Sweet taste, many describe as having sweet, nutty almond flavor. Good for fresh consumption, cooking, jellies, jams, pies. Usually harvested in July (early-mid summer). Highly praised for antioxidant content - specifically phenolics, flavonols, and anthocyanins.

Selected by Dieter Martin in Saskatchewan, Canada. Derived from Thiessen cultivar. Fairly early ripening among varieties. Suitable for small fruit orchards, fruit hedges, or decorative shrub. Takes few years to reach maximum production - significant harvest after 3-5 years. Good for mechanized picking due to uniform ripening.