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Plants that fill a similar niche:
Amelanchier arborea Form in the spring, flowers appear before the leaves.
Amelanchier canadensis Amelanchier canadensis
Ulmus americana Full Form
Amelanchier arborea var. laevis has some common disease problems:
Fire Blight

Smooth-leaved serviceeberry Amelanchier arborea var. laevis

Other Common Name(s):

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.   

More information on Amelanchier arborea.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
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, Prince Charles
Tags:
#fragrant#deciduous#full sun tolerant#white flowers#orange leaves#native tree#red leaves#native shrub#slopes#fall interest#understory tree#flowering tree#air pollution tolerant#street tree#cpp#deer resistant#small and large mammals#native garden#edible fruits#screening#larval host plant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#woodland garden#red-spotted purple butterfly#viceroy butterflies#hedge
 
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, Prince Charles
Tags:
#fragrant#deciduous#full sun tolerant#white flowers#orange leaves#native tree#red leaves#native shrub#slopes#fall interest#understory tree#flowering tree#air pollution tolerant#street tree#cpp#deer resistant#small and large mammals#native garden#edible fruits#screening#larval host plant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#partial shade tolerant#woodland garden#red-spotted purple butterfly#viceroy butterflies#hedge
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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