Sounds like they’re pretty productive, overall disease resistant and a very early fruit. I keep reading about it having a mixed berry flavor with almond-ish flavored seeds. Whats up with it? Does the flavor just not compete with other fruits?
I think they are great, very flavorful and enjoyable.
However, in the south at least they are highly susceptible to cedar apple rust and other diseases.
Also I assume some cultivars taste better than others, from what some have said here.
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I personally think they’re really bland, but the trees/bushes have a really beautiful form, and there’s something to be said for growing things that WANT to grow, bloom early, and make fruit, even if it’s not the most exciting fruit in the world. On the other hand, I know people who really love the flavor of Juneberries (it just doesn’t happen to be me). Here in NE Kansas, they don’t appear to be susceptible to any diseases (and not cedar apple rust at all).
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I have had some wild ones that are really good, like a mixture of apple juice and blueberry, or something to that effect. I have also had ones that were insipid and watery. They seem to vary a lot. There is a beach near here where there’s about a hundred different trees to sample from. Most have large fruit for a Juneberry (about a 1/4 to 3/8 inch). Having tried a lot of them, I can say the flavors vary greatly within that one stand. I think the texture is one of their main issues. When fresh it is fine. When made into a pie though, all those little pomes can almost give it a chewy/meally texture.
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Do you have one or more, and if so, what cultivar? A good flavored Amelanchier variety is as good a fruit as any in my opinion. They’re excellent. Some wild types are bland and/or dry, others are on par with the cultivars.
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Thank you for the input. I have one that was specifically bred to be ornamental and not for flavor. Even with that in mind the berries taste good so I would love to taste one that is bred for flavor.
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I have a few young “Smokey” juneberries that I find just delicious !
As good or better than any blueberry in my opinion.
It is said they come fairly true from seed, that’s how I started mine.
Looking for more seed , anyone know of a good source ?
I would Like a OZ. Or so of seeds.
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I agree. They’re excellent. ‘Smokey’ suckers quite a bit, so that’s another good way to multiply them.
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They are wild in my area. They have a lot of variation, some are quite good, some are very bland. Someday I might collect good wild cultivars.
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Well then with all that being said, what is everyones favorite variety? Smokey sounds great, any other favorites?
I’ve had some that were boring, but the good cultivars have very good fruit.
Thiessen is very good.
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I like Northline.The others that sound good are Thiessen,like castanea mentioned,which is suppose to have large berries,Honeywood,Martin,JB 30 and Lee 8.
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