In western North America, the saskatoon is also referred to as the western serviceberry, mountain Juneberry, western shadbush, and Rocky Mountain blueberry. The saskatoon is an extremely variable species. In habit, it may range from a low and spreading to erect and slender shrub or small tree. Its height varies from 0.3 to over 6m. It often has multiple stems and may form large thickets.
Vegetative propagation is through rhizomes.
Its root system is a combination of vertical tap roots and lateral roots. The bark is smooth, gray on the older branches and reddish-brown on the new growth. The leaves are half to fully expanded at flowering time and in general are extraordinarily variable in shape. In the wild, the saskatoon is considered a species adapted to areas that, in the past, were often exposed to fire. Fire, as well as mowing and grazing, stimulate vegetative growth.