Amelanchier arborea

Common Name(s):

Downy serviceberry, Shadbush

Categories:

Native Plants, Shrubs, Trees

Comment:

Amelanchier arborea, commonly called downy serviceberry, is a deciduous, early-flowering, large shrub or small tree which typically grows 15-25' tall in cultivation but can reach 40' in the wild.  Its bark is smooth when young.  As the tree ages, long, vertical splits and furrows develop.

Regions:  Mountain, Piedmont

Seasons of Interest: 

  Leaves:   Fall               Blooms:   Early spring             Nut/Fruit/Seed:  Summer

Wildlife Value:  This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer.  It is a host plant for Red-spotted purple and Viceroy butterflies.  Butterflies and other insects nectar at the blooms.  Fruits are eaten by songbirds, small and large mammals.

Insects, Diseases, or Other Plant Problems:  Rust, leaf spot, fire blight and powdery mildew are occasional disease problems of the Downy serviceberry.  Sawfly, leaf miner, borers, and scale are also occasional insect pests.

Height:

10-25 ft.

Flower:

The Downy serviceberry features 5-petaled, showy, slightly fragrant, white flowers in drooping clusters which appear before the leaves emerge in early spring. The spring flowers give way to small, round green berries which turn red and finally mature to a dark purplish-black in early summer. The edible berries resemble blueberries in size and color and are often used in jams, jellies and pies. Amelanchiers are commonly called Juneberries.

Zones:

4-9

Habit:

Deciduous

Site:

The Downy serviceberry is easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerant of a somewhat wide range of soils. Root suckers are common, and if not removed, will result in a shrubby growth habit for the plant.

Texture:

Medium

Form:

Irregular branching; narrow, rounded crown

Exposure:

Full sun, part shade, shade

Fruit:

Berries

Width:

10-15 ft.

Growth Rate:

Moderate

Leaf:

The finely-toothed, 1 to 3 inch, simple, alternate obovate leaves of the Downy serviceberry exhibit good fall color.

Tags:

flowering tree, host plant, deciduous, fragrant, butterflies, songbirds, deer resistant, showy

NCCES plant id: 1912