What hardiness zones is Amelanchier ssp. suitable for?

Amelanchier ssp. is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Amelanchier ssp.?

Amelanchier ssp. requires Full Sun.

How much water does Amelanchier ssp. need?

Amelanchier ssp. has Low water needs.

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Broadleaf Deciduous Trees

Amelanchier ssp.

serviceberry

Rosaceae

Temperate North America; A. alnifolia native to western North America, Alaska to Oregon

At a Glance

TypeTree

HabitUpright

FoliageDeciduous

Height8-25 feet (2.4-7.5 m)

Width6-20 feet (1.8-6 m)

Maturity8 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 8

Zone 2

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

Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

Amelanchier is a genus of deciduous small trees and large shrubs in the rose family (Rosaceae) offering four-season ornamental interest. Mature size varies by species: most landscape-grown selections reach 8–25 feet (2.4–7.5 m) tall and 6–20 feet (1.8–6 m) wide. In March through April, five-petaled white flowers in drooping racemes 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long appear before or with the emerging foliage — among the earliest ornamental blooms of the season. Leaves are oval to elliptical with finely serrated margins, 1–3 inches (2.5–8 cm) long, often bronze-tinged when emerging, maturing to medium green. In June, small edible fruits — 0.25–0.5 inch (6–12 mm) — ripen from red to purple-black, resembling blueberries in flavor and highly attractive to birds. Fall color is reliable and often vivid, ranging from yellow and orange to red depending on species, site, and individual. Smooth gray bark with fine vertical striping provides winter interest. Species commonly grown in Pacific Northwest landscapes include Amelanchier alnifolia (Saskatoon serviceberry, a PNW native), A. canadensis (shadblow serviceberry), A. laevis (Allegheny serviceberry), and A. × grandiflora hybrids (apple serviceberry). All are adaptable to a wide range of soil and moisture conditions and support pollinators, birds, and native wildlife. This entry represents the genus; specific dimensions and cultural details vary by species.

Native Range

Amelanchier species are native to temperate North America, Europe, and Asia. The primary PNW-grown species — A. alnifolia — is native from Alaska south through British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, and east to the Rockies, occurring in open forests, rocky slopes, and streamside areas.

Suggested Uses

Planted as a specimen small tree or large shrub in residential landscapes, parks, and naturalized settings. Native species (A. alnifolia) are appropriate for habitat gardens, rain gardens, and restoration plantings. Hybrid cultivars such as 'Autumn Brilliance' and 'Princess Diana' are selected for enhanced fall color or form. Fruit attracts cedar waxwings, robins, and other birds. Allow 10–20 feet (3–6 m) horizontal clearance at maturity depending on species.

How to Identify

Identified by oval to elliptical leaves with finely serrated margins, five-petaled white flowers in drooping racemes appearing before or with early foliage in March through April, and small round fruits ripening red to purple-black in June. Smooth gray bark with faint vertical striping is characteristic year-round. Leaf undersides are often downy when young. Fruit resembles a small blueberry. Multiple species can appear similar; A. alnifolia tends toward a multi-stemmed shrub form while A. laevis and A. × grandiflora selections grow as small single or multi-trunked trees.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 25'

Width/Spread6' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 8 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow

orange

red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks

Spring

Blooms March through April, with drooping racemes of five-petaled white flowers 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long appearing before or concurrent with leaf emergence — one of the earliest flowering woody plants in the Pacific Northwest landscape season. Individual flower clusters last 1–2 weeks; cool spring temperatures extend the display. Edible fruits ripen June through July.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

white

Foliage Description

bronze-tinged when emerging, maturing to medium green; yellow, orange, and red in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Partial Shade

Requires 4-8 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

loamclaysandsilt

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

5-10 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Amelanchier is adaptable to a wide range of soils — tolerating clay, loam, and sandy soils — and performs in full sun to part shade, though flowering and fall color are best in full sun. Water regularly during the first 1–2 growing seasons; established plants tolerate moderate drought in the PNW. Apply 2–3 inches (5–8 cm) of mulch from the drip line inward, keeping it clear of the trunk. Fireblights (Erwinia amylovora) can affect flowers and new shoots in wet spring weather; remove affected material promptly. Cedar-apple rust may occasionally affect foliage where eastern red cedar is nearby. No regular fertilizing is needed on average soils.

Pruning

Prune during dormancy (November through February) or immediately after flowering (April through May). Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Multi-stemmed shrub forms can be renewal-pruned by removing the oldest stems at ground level every 5–8 years. To train as a single-trunk small tree, select the strongest stem and remove competing basal shoots as they emerge over several seasons. Sucker removal is ongoing for tree forms.

Pruning Schedule

winter

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic