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Coastal Serviceberry Amelanchier obovalis

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Amalenchier canadensis var. obovalis
Phonetic Spelling
am-uh-LAN-kee-er OH-bo-VAY-liss
Description

Coastal Serviceberry is a drought-tolerant deciduous native shrub in the rose family found in NC in pocosins and savannas of the coastal plain. The showy white spring flowers appear in clusters and are followed by edible red to purple fruits in summer. Fall leaf color ranges from green to yellow and orange. 

The compact form of this shrub makes it suitable for home gardens and it will spread over time to form colonies. It prefers moist to dry, acidic, loamy well-drained soils in part shade to full sun but is adaptable to other sites. It is drought-tolerant once established. Use as a hedge, in shrub borders, native plantings, naturalized areas and gardens for the birds- they love the fruit.

Insect and Disease Problems: None serious but rust, leaf spot, fire blight, powdery mildew and canker are occasional disease problems.

 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs, and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Amelanchier.

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Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#white flowers#native shrub#low maintenance#showy fruits#NC native#edible fruits#border planting#pollinator plant#flowers late spring#larval host plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#flowers midspring#hedge#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#drought tolerant#white flowers#native shrub#low maintenance#showy fruits#NC native#edible fruits#border planting#pollinator plant#flowers late spring#larval host plant#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#dry soils tolerant#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#flowers midspring#hedge#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Amelanchier
    Species:
    obovalis
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    North America
    Wildlife Value:
    Attracts birds
    Edibility:
    Fruits are edible
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Multi-stemmed
    Open
    Spreading
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Showy
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Spring
    Fruit Type:
    Pome
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Fruits are 3/8 inch, red to purple and edible. Mature in May-June
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    1-inch white flowers with 5 petals in upright clusters appear March-May
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Oblong
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Light to medium green oval leaves are up to 2 inches long, finely toothed with yellow to orange fall color
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Edible Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Dry Soil