Serviceberry Amelanchier arborea var. laevis
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Serviceberry:
Previously known as:
- A. laevis
- Phonetic Spelling
- am-eh-LAN-kee-er ar-BOR-ee-ah vah-RYE-eh-tee LYE-viss
- Description
-
Allegheny serviceberry is a multi-trunked small tree or tall shrub which can be found growing in thickets, open woods, sheltered slopes, and wood margins. Although uncommon, it may grow to heights of up to 40' tall.
This plant may possess irregular branching.
It is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. It is tolerant of a somewhat wide range of soils but prefers moist, well-drained loams.
This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer. It is a host plant for the Red-Spotted Purple and Viceroy butterflies. Butterflies and other insects nectar at the blooms. Its fruit is eaten by songbirds, ruffled grouse and both small and large mammals.
Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems: The Allegheny Serviceberry has no serious insect or disease problems. Rust, leaf spot, fire blight, powdery mildew, and canker are occasional cosmetic problems that typically do not damage the plant.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Majestic
Exceptionaly vigorous growth, to 30' tall. Flowers are very large. Berries showy purplish-black, sweet. Leaves dark. - Prince Charles
Flowers abundant. Fall color orange and red. Berries pruplish-blue, edible.
- Majestic
- Majestic, Prince Charles
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Majestic
Exceptionaly vigorous growth, to 30' tall. Flowers are very large. Berries showy purplish-black, sweet. Leaves dark. - Prince Charles
Flowers abundant. Fall color orange and red. Berries pruplish-blue, edible.
- Majestic
- Majestic, Prince Charles
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Amelanchier
- Species:
- arborea
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Distribution:
- AL, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NC, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV
- Wildlife Value:
- It is a host plant for the Red-Spotted Purple and Viceroy butterflies. Butterflies and other insects nectar at the blooms. Its fruit is eaten by songbirds, ruffled grouse and both small and large mammals.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Edible fruit
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- no serious insect or disease problems, moderaltly resistant to deer damage
- Edibility:
- The berries are often used in jams, jellies and pies.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-stemmed
- Multi-trunked
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Pome
- Fruit Description:
- The flowers give way to small, round, edible berries which ripen to dark purplish-black in June (hence the sometimes common name of Juneberry) and resemble blueberries in size, color and taste. The berries are often used in jams, jellies and pies.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- The Allegheny serviceberry features showy, 5-petaled, slightly fragrant, white flowers in drooping clusters which appear in early spring (April) before the leaves. The flowers give way to small, round, edible berries.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Finely-toothed leaves with a bronze-purple tint in spring, maturing to dark green, turning red-orange in fall.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Dark Gray
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Ridges
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark of this tree is smooth when young. As the tree ages, the bark develops rough long ridges and furrows.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Recreational Play Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Small groups
- Small Tree
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
