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Amelanchier x grandiflora

Previously known as:

  • A. amabilis
Phonetic Spelling
am-uh-LAN-kee-er gran-dih-FLOR-uh
Description

A natural hybrid between A. arborea and A. laevis which includes the listed cultivars below. Learn more about Amelanchier spp

This plant grows as a multi-stemmed tree or shrub.  When growing as a tree, the root suckers should be removed to deter a shrubby appearance. This is a shallow-rooted plant and would benefit from a layer of mulch to conserve moisture and keep the soil temperature moderate.

The berries are edible both raw and cooked by both humans and wildlife and are most often used in making jams and jellies.  The fruit can also be dried.

Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems:  Typically insect and disease-free.  Occasionally diseases such as powdery mildew, rust, leaf spot, and fire blight may affect the plants' health.  

 

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Amelanchier.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Autumn Brilliance'
    Red Fall Color
  • 'Autumn Sunset'
    Grows to 30' tall
  • 'Ballerina'
    Brick Red Fall Color
  • 'Coles Select'
    Thick, glossy summer foliage.
  • 'Cumulus'
    Grows as an upright tree
  • 'Forest Prince'
    Oval habit
  • 'Prince Charles'
    Abundant flowers, attractive form.
  • 'Princess Diana'
    Red Fall Color
  • 'Prince William'
    Abundant flowers, attractive form.
  • 'Robin Hill'
    Pink buds that fade upon opening.
  • 'Rubescens'
    Pink buds that fade upon opening.
'Autumn Brilliance', 'Autumn Sunset', 'Ballerina', 'Coles Select', 'Cumulus', 'Forest Prince', 'Prince Charles', 'Princess Diana', 'Prince William', 'Robin Hill', 'Rubescens'
Tags:
#purple#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#white flowers#orange leaves#pink flowers#yellow leaves#fall interest#air pollution tolerant#small mammals#deer resistant#pink fruits#children's garden#playground plant#long bloom time#edible fruits#interesting buds#pollinator plant#purple fruits#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Autumn Brilliance'
    Red Fall Color
  • 'Autumn Sunset'
    Grows to 30' tall
  • 'Ballerina'
    Brick Red Fall Color
  • 'Coles Select'
    Thick, glossy summer foliage.
  • 'Cumulus'
    Grows as an upright tree
  • 'Forest Prince'
    Oval habit
  • 'Prince Charles'
    Abundant flowers, attractive form.
  • 'Princess Diana'
    Red Fall Color
  • 'Prince William'
    Abundant flowers, attractive form.
  • 'Robin Hill'
    Pink buds that fade upon opening.
  • 'Rubescens'
    Pink buds that fade upon opening.
'Autumn Brilliance', 'Autumn Sunset', 'Ballerina', 'Coles Select', 'Cumulus', 'Forest Prince', 'Prince Charles', 'Princess Diana', 'Prince William', 'Robin Hill', 'Rubescens'
Tags:
#purple#deciduous#full sun tolerant#fragrant flowers#white flowers#orange leaves#pink flowers#yellow leaves#fall interest#air pollution tolerant#small mammals#deer resistant#pink fruits#children's garden#playground plant#long bloom time#edible fruits#interesting buds#pollinator plant#purple fruits#bird friendly#partial shade tolerant#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Amelanchier
    Species:
    x grandiflora
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    The fruits of this plant are used in pies, jams and jellies, fruit rolls, and for making syrup. Native Americans are known to have eaten the berries fresh and dried, and often mixed with other foods for sweetener and flavor. Dried/dehydrated berries were also added to dried vegetables in soups and puddings.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Stem Cutting
    Wildlife Value:
    Birds and other wildlife eat the fruit.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edible fruit
    Fragrance
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    mildly resistant to damage by deer
    Edibility:
    The fruit is edible
    Dimensions:
    Height: 20 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Multi-stemmed
    Rounded
    Vase
    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
    Moist
    Occasionally Wet
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Sweet berries begin to emerge in the summer and ready for harvest in the fall. The berries will turn magenta to purple. They resemble blueberries. Seed: Fruit
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    The plant has small (larger than spp.), white flowers from pink buds in spring.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
    Orange
    Red/Burgundy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Elliptical
    Ovate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Showy red to orange fall color
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Dark Gray
    Light Gray
    Surface/Attachment:
    Ridges
    Bark Description:
    Smooth, silver-gray bark.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Lawn
    Naturalized Area
    Patio
    Pool/Hardscape
    Recreational Play Area
    Small Space
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Children's Garden
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Flowering Tree
    Foundation Planting
    Shade Tree
    Small Tree
    Specimen
    Understory Tree
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer