Serviceberry, Amelanchier, a Pretty Spring Flowering Native Tree

The lacy, white blooms decorating woods edges in very early spring are the contribution of a wonderful native tree that should be seen in more gardens: Downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea). The flowers open just about the time red maples begin to show color. Saucer magnolia (Magnolia √ó soulangeana) blooms at the same time. While its pink blooms are impossible to miss for the few days they are open, serviceberry flowers open earlier and are still effective for a few days after the giant pink magnolia petals fall.

Also known as shadbush, Juneberry, sarviceberry, and sarvis-tree, downy service berry is normally 15 to 25 feet at maturity, although plants can grow to 40 feet.

Leaves are simple (not lobed or divided) and obovate (egg-shaped) with a point at the tip and a slightly heart-shaped base. The common name downy serviceberry refers to the thick thatch of silvery hairs on the leaves, which are especially apparent when the leaves are emerging. Leaf margins, or edges, are finely toothed. Fall color ranges from yellow to orange and deep red. The bark is gray with lengthwise fissures.

The small, five-petaled flowers have strap-shaped petals and are borne in 2- to 4-inch-long clusters on red stems at the tips of the branches. While individual flowers are small, the drooping clusters of flowers stand out nicely against gray tree trunks and branches in late winter. Look closely at a flower, and you will see the beginning of a ‚”hip” at the base of each bloom that signals serviceberry’s membership in the rose family, Rosaceae.

Flowers are followed by clusters of small, 1/4- to 1/3-inch red to purple fruit. The fruit is edible, although reports indicate that A. arborea doesn’t produce the best-tasting fruit of the serviceberries. Fruit can be eaten fresh or used in pies and muffins, but they ripen over several weeks in June and it’s tough to out-compete the birds to gather enough of them for baking.

Downy Serviceberry in the Landscape

Downy serviceberries are multi-trunked small trees or large shrubs. Use them as specimens, surrounded by smaller shrubs and underplanted with perennials, bulbs, or ground covers. Site them in front of evergreens or a dark building to set off their spring flowers to best advantage. They also make attractive large accent plants in a shrub border or along a foundation, and are especially suited to growing along a woodland edge or as part of a planting designed to attract wildlife. They are a very important source of early season pollen for bees and other insects as well as summer berries for birds. In addition, the larvae of several butterflies feed on serviceberries, including Eastern tiger swallowtail, viceroys, and white admirals.

Give downy serviceberries a spot in full sun or partial shade. Moist, well-drained, acid soil is ideal, but plants are quite adaptable, growing naturally along creeks, woods edges, or streams. They also tolerate drier upland hillsides or slopes. Like all serviceberries, this species doesn’t require much routine pruning. When plants do need pruning, in late winter remove any weak, diseased, or crowded trunks or branches.

Serviceberries can be renewal pruned to improve shape and vigor. To do this, cut some or all of the trunks to within a foot of the ground when the tree is dormant. Healthy, vigorous growth responds best to renewal pruning. Suckers will appear when growth resumes in spring; thin them out the following winter to establish a good framework.

Cultivated Serviceberries

A number of serviceberry cultivars are available now, most classified as A. √ó grandiflora indicating hybrids between A. arborea and another eastern native, A. laevis, commonly known as Allegheny serviceberry. ‘Autumn Brilliance’ is a popular and pretty selection. Plants produce plenty of white spring flowers over a long season and, as the name suggests, plants also feature good red fall color. ‘Autumn Brilliance’ also bears nice edible fruit, although picking the berries before the birds do is a challenge.

In his Manual of Woody Plants, Michael Dirr also recommends ‘Ballerina’, ‘Princess Diana’, and ‘Autumn Sunset’. Ballerina’ is 15 to 20 feet tall and features slightly larger flowers than the species. The purple-black, 3/8- to 1/2-inch fruit is sweet tasting. ‘Princess Diana’ is similar with 3/8-inch fruit and brilliant red fall foliage. ‘Autumn Sunset’ is Dirr’s own selection that features pumpkin orange fall leaves.

A Valuable Small Tree or Large Shrub

This handsome native is worth planting for the early spring flowers it brings to the landscape. Bright autumn foliage, plus berries to attract visiting songbirds make it even more appealing.