Saskatoon Berries

KNOWN IN THE WILD as Juneberries, shadberries, or serviceberries, saskatoon berries are another great choice for adventure gardening. "Not many northern gardeners cultivate this tasty, easy-to-grow, highly ornamental, low- maintenance perennial crop because they don't know about it," says Susan Jensen, horticulturist for Gurney Seed and Nursery Company in Yankton, South Dakota.

The shrubby plants, which reach 15 feet or more at maturity, produce deep-reddish-purple fruits, borne on long stems singly or in clusters of two or three, that ripen in early to mid-July. The fruits taste a lot like blueberries. They're a little more tart and a lot easier to pick. The plants bear fruits over a four- to six-week period, producing between two and four quarts of fruits per plant.

As long as they receive enough moisture, Jensen says, the plants aren't fussy about soil type, although they do prefer a near-neutral pH. She recommends an annual light pruning -- just enough to get rid of the dead wood and broken or crossed branches.

The one challenge you're likely to have growing saskatoon berries is to keep the birds away. Use protective netting in areas where birds are a problem.