What hardiness zones is Amelanchier alnifolia suitable for?

Amelanchier alnifolia is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Amelanchier alnifolia?

Amelanchier alnifolia requires Full Sun.

How much water does Amelanchier alnifolia need?

Amelanchier alnifolia has Low water needs.

Deciduous Shrubs

Amelanchier alnifolia

serviceberry

Rosaceae

Alaska and Yukon south through BC, Washington, Oregon, east across Rocky Mountains and Great Plains to Ontario; open forests, forest edges, rocky slopes, streambanks

At a Glance

TypeShrub

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height6-20 feet (1.8-6 m)

Width6-15 feet (1.8-4.5 m)

Maturity10 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

3 - 8

Zone 3

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Attracts Hummingbirds

Drought Tolerant

Fragrant (light)

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

A deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree in the family Rosaceae, native to open forests, forest edges, rocky slopes, and streambanks from Alaska and Yukon south through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and east across the Great Plains and Rocky Mountains to the eastern prairies. Plants typically grow 6–20 feet (1.8–6 m) tall with a suckering, multi-stemmed habit. Simple, ovate to nearly round leaves 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) long with fine serrations on the upper half, emerging bronze-tinged in spring. In April and May, before or with the emerging leaves, stems are smothered in erect racemes of five-petaled white flowers 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) across — fragrant and among the first native shrubs to bloom in Pacific Northwest lowlands. These are followed by small, round, sweet, juicy berries 0.25–0.5 inch (6–13 mm) across ripening purple-black in June–July — edible, resembling blueberries in flavor, and historically one of the most important food plants for Indigenous peoples of western North America. Fall color is consistently brilliant orange, red, and gold. Non-toxic; berries edible.

Native Range

Native from Alaska and Yukon south through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and east across the Rocky Mountains and Great Plains to Ontario and the eastern prairies, growing in open forests, forest edges, rocky outcrops, streambanks, and open slopes in a wide range of soil types and exposures.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a multi-season native shrub in mixed borders, woodland gardens, naturalistic hedgerows, rain gardens, and wildlife gardens at 6–10 foot (1.8–3 m) spacing. One of the highest-value native shrubs for Pacific Northwest wildlife — early bloom for native bees and hummingbirds, abundant fruit for birds and mammals, and brilliant fall color. Excellent as a screening shrub, informal hedge, or specimen. Berries edible fresh, dried, or in preserves. Cultivar 'Regent' (compact, 4–6 feet) is widely available.

How to Identify

Identified in spring by erect racemes of five-petaled white flowers 0.75–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) across appearing before or with the emerging leaves in April–May — one of the first native shrubs to bloom in the Pacific Northwest. Simple, ovate to nearly round leaves 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm) long with fine teeth only on the upper half are diagnostic. Small round berries ripen purple-black in June–July. Fall color is consistently brilliant orange-red. The multi-stemmed suckering shrub habit and early-spring white bloom are the key identification combination.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6' - 20'

Width/Spread6' - 15'

Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

bronze

Fall Foliage Colors

orange

red

gold

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~3 weeks

Spring

Blooms April through May for 2–3 weeks, with upright racemes of white five-petaled flowers appearing before or with the emerging bronze-tinged leaves — one of the first reliable spring-flowering native shrubs in Pacific Northwest lowlands. Berries ripen June–July and are consumed rapidly by cedar waxwings, American robins, varied thrush, black bears, and numerous other wildlife species.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white; five-petaled fragrant flowers 0.75–1 inch in erect racemes of 3–20; appearing before or with emerging leaves — one of the first native shrubs to bloom

Foliage Description

bronze-tinged on emergence; maturing to mid-green; ovate to nearly round, fine serrations on upper half only; brilliant orange-red-gold in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 3-8 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamclaysandrocky

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in full sun to partial shade in average to moist, well-drained, slightly acid to neutral soil with a pH of 5.5–7.0. Extremely adaptable — tolerates clay, loam, or sandy soils once established. Drought-tolerant once established in the Pacific Northwest. No fertilizer needed in average soils. Suckers freely over time — remove suckers at the base to maintain desired form. Largely pest and disease-free in Pacific Northwest conditions. Hardy to zone 3.

Pruning

Remove suckers at ground level to control spread or shape. Prune out old, weak, or crossing stems to the base in late winter (February–March) to maintain vigor and open structure. Amelanchier blooms on previous year's wood — avoid hard pruning in fall or winter that removes flowering wood. Rejuvenate overgrown plants by removing one-third of the oldest stems annually over three years.

Pruning Schedule

early spring

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic