Amelanchier
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Amelancus
- Aronia
- Phonetic Spelling
- am-uh-LAN-kee-er
- Description
-
Serviceberry prefers acidic, evenly moist soils in partial shade, with some morning sun. It will tolerate clay soil.
It is one of the first to flower in the spring, just before the dogwoods. The common name serviceberry comes because it blooms as soon as the ground starts to thaw, and it is blooming when people were able to dig graves and bury their dead after the winter. It also derives the common name of Shadbush and Shadblow due to the fact that the masses of flowers tend to open at the same time that shad ascend the rivers in early spring to spawn.
The flowers and later fruits dropping on the ground can be high maintenance.
It is a multitrunked shrub or small tree with a rounded crown. In the wild, it can grow significantly larger than in the landscape. It forms root suckers, and if allowed to grow, will result in the plant growing as a shrub rather than a tree. Over time, the suckers will cause the plant to form a small colony. Pruning should be done in the fall in order to avoid excessive loss of sap.
Often found growing in open woods, slopes, and bluffs.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Fireblight, fungal leaf spot may affect the plants' overall health. Rust and powdery mildew are also issues. It becomes chlorotic in alkaline soils and does not tolerate wind. Rabbits will often destroy the seedlings.
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:
- A. alnifolia, A. arborea, A. canadensis, A. laevis, A. obovalis, A. spicata, A. x grandiflora
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- A. alnifolia, A. arborea, A. canadensis, A. laevis, A. obovalis, A. spicata, A. x grandiflora
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Amelanchier
- Family:
- Roseaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Root Cutting
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe, Africa, Northern America and Asia-Temperate
- Distribution:
- ME to IA, south to northern FL
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are attractive to birds. 120 species of Lepidoptera (caterpillars that turn into butterflies or moths) feed on the tree. Attracts native bees.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Edible fruit
- Fragrance
- Shade
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Mildly resistant to deer damage
- Edibility:
- Tasty fruits, similar in flavor to blueberries, edible raw or cooked.
- 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:
- Erect
- Multi-trunked
- Rounded
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- 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)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4b, 4a, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Blue
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Pome
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Edible berry-like pome starts green and turns to red and then blue-black. The fruit bears some resemblance to blueberries. They are edible and can be used in jams and jellies.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Short-lived (10 days) lightly fragrant white, drooping racemes 2"-4" long bloom early spring just before dogwoods. Flower parts are in multiples of fives. The flowers appear in the spring just before the leaves.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Obovate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Simple, alternate, serrate margins, elliptical to ovate 1"-3" long; not very distinct. Has rounded to cordate base, acute apex. Good yellow-orange to red-orange fall color. The young leaves are covered with soft hairs that disappear as the leaf matures.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Fissured
- Ridges
- Smooth
- Bark Description:
- The bark is gray, and smooth with longitudinal fissures that are striated and ridged at maturity. It often has a reddish, brownish cast. It provides winter interest.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Zig Zags
- Stem Description:
- Pointed buds have overlapping scales.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Lawn
- Meadow
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Recreational Play Area
- Slope/Bank
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Barrier
- Border
- Flowering Tree
- Foundation Planting
- Hedge
- Mass Planting
- Screen/Privacy
- Shade Tree
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Problems:
- Messy
