Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Amelanchier grandiflora

Apple Serviceberry

Rosaceae

Garden hybrid (Amelanchier arborea × Amelanchier laevis)

At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m)
Width15-25 feet (4.5-7.5 m)
Maturity15 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8
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
Drought Tolerant
Maintenancelow

Overview

Amelanchier ×grandiflora is a small deciduous tree or large multi-stemmed shrub reaching 15–25 feet (4.5–7.5 m) tall and 15–25 feet (4.5–7.5 m) wide, a hybrid between A. arborea and A. laevis. Bark is smooth, gray, developing shallow vertical fissures on older trunks. Leaves are elliptic to ovate, 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) long, emerging bronze-purple in spring, maturing to dark green by early summer, and turning orange to red in fall, typically in October in zones 5–6. White flowers appear in pendulous racemes 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long in March–April, before or as leaves emerge. Individual flowers are 0.75–1.25 inches (2–3 cm) across with 5 narrow petals. Fruit ripens to dark purple, 0.3–0.5 inch (8–13 mm) in diameter, in June–July; berries are edible and sweet. Growth rate is moderate at 12–18 inches (30–45 cm) annually. Trees can be trained as single-trunk or multi-stemmed forms. Suckering from the base varies by cultivar. Cedar-apple rust (Gymnosporangium species) and fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) affect susceptibility in humid climates. Japanese beetles feed on foliage in June–July in eastern populations. Fruit drop may create litter on paved surfaces.

Native Range

Amelanchier ×grandiflora is a garden hybrid between A. arborea (native to eastern North America) and A. laevis (native to northeastern North America). The cross occurs both naturally and in cultivation. Parent species grow in woodland edges, stream banks, and rocky slopes from Nova Scotia to Georgia.

Suggested Uses

Commonly planted as a small specimen tree in residential yards, patios, and mixed borders at 15–20 foot (4.5–6 m) spacing. Multi-season interest (spring flowers, summer fruit, fall color, winter bark) suits prominent locations. Edible fruit can be harvested for preserves. Not suited to sites where fruit drop on pavement is unacceptable, or to locations adjacent to ornamental junipers where cedar-apple rust would be problematic.

How to Identify

Distinguished from A. arborea by larger individual flowers (0.75–1.25 inches / 2–3 cm across) and more intensely bronze-purple emerging foliage. Compared to A. laevis, typically more compact and less suckering. Leaves are elliptic to ovate, 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) long, with fine serrations. Pendulous white flower racemes in early spring before full leaf emergence. Smooth gray bark on young trunks. Fruit is dark purple, sweet, and edible.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height15' - 25'
Width/Spread15' - 25'

Reaches mature size in approximately 15 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green
purple

Fall Foliage Colors

orange
red
yellow

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Flowers March through April in zones 4–8. Bloom occurs before or as leaves emerge, lasting approximately 2 weeks. In zone 8, bloom may begin in late February. Late frosts can damage open flowers, reducing fruit set.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White

Foliage Description

Bronze-purple emerging, maturing to dark green, turning orange to red in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun
Partial Shade
Requires 4-10 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
loamclaysand
Drainage
well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

8-10 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Water regularly during the first 2 growing seasons. Established trees tolerate moderate drought. Cedar-apple rust causes orange-brown leaf spots in areas where junipers (Juniperus) grow nearby; selecting resistant cultivars or removing nearby junipers reduces incidence. Fire blight causes blackened, wilted shoot tips in humid springs. Japanese beetles feed on foliage June–July in eastern regions. Suckers at the base can be removed annually to maintain a tree form. No regular fertilization is needed in average garden soils.

Pruning

Prune during winter dormancy (November–February). Develop either a single central leader (tree form) or allow multiple stems (shrub form). Remove suckers at the base annually to maintain tree form. Thin crossing or crowded interior branches to improve air circulation, which reduces disease incidence. Mature trees require minimal pruning beyond dead wood removal and sucker management.

Pruning Schedule

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winter

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic