Do you perhaps mean Amelanchier alnifolia? I tried one of the cultivars, I believe 'Honeywood'Saskatoon. Anyways, maybe it was it's location in clay soil and too shady, but mine barely grew in three years plus it always seemed to get rust or some rust colored specs on the leaves.

Kind of disappointing because they grow in forested areas here and are said to be easy care. The fruit is great, however, reminds one of blueberries but in a way better.

Saskatoons which we call sugarplums here grow wild in this area.

They don't actually grow in shade - they grow on the edges of forested areas, primarily in the sun. Perhaps if yours were in too-deep shade, it may have been part of the problem, Glen. Don't think clay soil is a particular problem either, given their distribution across the prairies.
We've had a 'Smokey' for a few years that's doing well.