Amelanchier spp., serviceberry
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Trees

Amelanchier spp.

serviceberry

Rosaceae
Temperate North America (most species), with some species native to Europe and Asia

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At a Glance

TypeTree
HabitUpright
FoliageDeciduous
Height8-25 feet (2.4-7.5 m)
Width6-20 feet (1.8-6 m)
Maturity7 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

2 - 8
Zone 2Zone 3Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsAttracts ButterfliesDrought Tolerant
Native to North America
Maintenancelow

Overview

Amelanchier spp. is serviceberry (shadbush), a genus of approximately 20 species of deciduous trees and large shrubs in Rosaceae, ranging from 8-25 feet (2.4-7.5 m) tall and 6-20 feet (1.8-6 m) wide. White 5-petaled flowers 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) in drooping racemes 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) in March-April, before or with the emerging bronze-tinged foliage. Edible dark purple-black berries 0.25-0.5 inch (6-13 mm) ripen June-July — sweet, consumed rapidly by birds. Yellow, orange, and red fall foliage. The most commonly cultivated species include A. arborea (downy serviceberry), A. canadensis (Canadian serviceberry), A. laevis (Allegheny serviceberry), and A. × grandiflora (apple serviceberry). Most species native to North America. Many species sucker from the base forming multi-stemmed clumps — this suckering habit is the primary limitation for single-trunk tree forms. Cedar-apple rust (Gymnosporangium spp.) and fire blight (Erwinia amylovora) can affect foliage and fruit. Smooth gray bark with vertical striping on some species. Drought-tolerant once established. Non-toxic. Zones 2-8. Full sun to partial shade. Growth rate is moderate.

Native Range

Most species native to temperate North America, with some species native to Europe and Asia.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a specimen tree, in native plant gardens, hedgerows, and woodland edges spaced 6-20 feet (1.8-6 m). Early spring flowers. Edible berries. Fall color. Native to North America. Multi-stemmed or single-trunk form. Non-toxic. Zones 2-8.

How to Identify

Identified by white 5-petaled flowers in drooping racemes in early spring on a small deciduous tree or large shrub with smooth gray bark and oval finely serrated leaves. The early spring bloom timing (often the first native tree to flower), the drooping racemes, and the smooth gray bark are diagnostic. Distinguished from Prunus (cherries — single flowers or upright clusters, cherry-like bark with horizontal lenticels) by the drooping raceme inflorescence. In Rosaceae.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height8' - 25'
Width/Spread6' - 20'

Reaches mature size in approximately 7 years

Colors

Flower Colors

white

Foliage Colors

green
bronze

Fall Foliage Colors

yellow
orange
red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~2 weeks
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Spring
Early spring (March-April). White 5-petaled flowers 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) in drooping racemes 2-4 inches (5-10 cm), appearing before or with the emerging leaves. 2 weeks of bloom. Bee- and butterfly-pollinated. Edible dark purple-black berries ripen June-July.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

White, 5-petaled, 0.5-1 inch (1.3-2.5 cm) diameter, in drooping racemes 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long appearing before or with the leaves

Foliage Description

Medium green, oval to elliptical with finely serrated margins, 1-3 inches (2.5-7 cm) long; emerges bronze-tinged in spring; turns yellow, orange, and red in fall

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial 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
loamsand
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Medium

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

3-5 years to first fruit

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade (4-8 hours). Well-drained soil pH 5.5-7.0. Drought-tolerant once established. Many species sucker — remove basal suckers if a single-trunk form is maintained. Cedar-apple rust and fire blight can affect foliage and fruit. Prune in winter dormancy. Non-toxic. Zones 2-8.

Pruning

Prune during winter dormancy (November-February). Remove dead, crossing, or damaged branches. Remove basal suckers if maintaining a single-trunk tree form. Thin crowded interior branches. The multi-stemmed clump form is natural for many species.

Pruning Schedule

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winter

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic