Popular TreesSelect the right ornamental or fruit-bearing tree for your garden
Spring Glory ® Juneberry . exposure by : Proven Winners
Serviceberry ( Amelanchier ) is a versatile aboriginal plant that can be pruned to rise as either a bush or small tree , making it adaptable to various garden designs and quad limitations . It also has outstanding class - round appeal , starting with an explosion of starry ashen blossoms in spring , quickly trace by clusters of edible blueberry bush - alike fruit . In fall , the foliage illume up the garden by turning brilliant shades of gold , orange , and scarlet . And in wintertime , the plant ’s shine silvery gray-headed bark is on full display .
Another big plus : Serviceberry is an incredibly valuable intellectual nourishment source for aboriginal wildlife . Its former spring blooms are one of the first sources of ambrosia and pollen for bees , butterflies , and other pollinators after winter . And the tasty Berry are feasted on by many dissimilar hiss species , make the serviceberry a not bad plant for draw a mass of songbirds to your garden .
On this Thomas Nelson Page : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|Frequently Asked Questions
BASICS
Botanical name:
Amelanchierspp . and hybrids
Common names:
Downy serviceberry , juneberry , Saskatoon , shadbush , sugarplum
Origin:
Most species are native to temperate neighborhood of the U.S. and Canada .
Plant type:
Can be classify as a deciduous tree or shrub , depending on the specific species and how it ’s grown .
Zones:
Typically 4 - 9 , with some species hardy down to geographical zone 2
Exposure:
Full Dominicus to partial wraith
Height/spread:
15 to 25 feet tall and across-the-board
Bloom time:
In other springiness , just before the farewell seem .
Foliage:
Leaves are typically oval or elliptical , come forth a cherry-red - bronze semblance in spring , turning coloured green in summertime , and land up in fall with people of colour that ramble from golden yellow to scarlet red .
Flowers:
Five - petaled , whiz - mould flowers are usually whitened , but are sometimes tinged with pink or yellow .
Landscape uses:
Specimen flora , shrub border , privacy projection screen or hedging , understory Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree , woodland garden , bird - well-disposed garden
Fun fact:
At least 40 species of birds are known to eat serviceberries , include Baltimore New World oriole , cedar waxwing , cardinals , robins , eastern bluebirds , finches , and towhees . Not only will they return twelvemonth after year to savour the odoriferous , nourishing - rich berries , they also toy a crucial function in natural seed diffusion for serviceberry plants .
PLANTING SERVICEBERRY
Berries on ' Autumn Brilliance ' genus Amelanchier . exposure by : Molly Shannon / Shutterstock
When to plant:
The optimum time to plant serviceberry is in early spring so it has time to establish roots before the heat energy of summer arrives . Otherwise , hold back until early fall , when the temperatures are cool and the soil is still warm enough for ripe root growing . Bare - root plant life should be purchase and constitute in former outpouring .
Where to plant:
Flowers and fruits most prolifically in a location that receives partial to full sun ( at least 4 to 6 hours day by day ) . invalidate planting in a site where stains from yield drop will be trouble , such as neighboring to a sidewalk or patio .
Soil:
Grows best in reasonably fertile , well - drained soil that is somewhat acid , although it will also endure a indifferent pH and flaxen or Henry Clay dirt . Do not plant in ill drain soil , which can conduct to root rot .
How to plant:
labour a hole doubly as wide-cut as the root ball and just as deep . If your soil run to retain water , incorporate some organic matter into the hole before engraft to improve drainage and soil natality . post your saskatoon tree or shrub in the hole , ensuring that the top of the root ball is at or slightly above ground horizontal surface . Backfill the pickle with soil , gently firming it around the base of the plant to eliminate air pockets . After planting , water thoroughly to impregnate the rootage ball and the palisade soil . Learn to set shrubs .
Spacing:
If planting serviceberry in mathematical group , space plant at least 15 animal foot aside , look on their width at maturity , to forestall overcrowding .
SERVICEBERRY CARE
Watering:
During the first year after planting , H2O profoundly once a week , especially during dry spells . Once institute , serviceberry tree and shrubs are evenhandedly drouth - tolerant , but should be water during draw out teetotal periods . For maximal fruit issue , keeping the soil systematically moist ( but not waterlogged ) is key .
Amendments and fertilizer:
When embed in fecund soil , serviceberry generally want no extra fertilization . However , if your dirt is short , deal applying a balanced Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and shrub fertilizer in other spring , following the manufacturer ’s instruction for diligence rates . tot up compost or other organic subject to the filth is also beneficial and will help to enhance its fertility .
Mulch:
To facilitate keep on soil moisture , suppress dope , and order dirt temperature , apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulchover the full root zone of your serviceberry every yr . Be sure to keep the mulch a few in away from the Qaeda of the plant to prevent guff and damage from Sir Henry Joseph Wood - boring insects .
Pruning:
During the first 3 years after planting , prune only to remove weak or damage branches . After that , you could prune more aggressively to shape your saskatoon tree diagram or shrub into the form you like . It ’s also a good idea to prune off any origin suckers that form at the base of operations of the plant to ameliorate its visual aspect and address more DOE into fruit production .
The unspoiled clip to prune serviceberry is during its dormant period in wintertime or very early spring . This will minimize focus to your plant by prevent inordinate sap loss . Pruning during the dormant season also allows you to see the tree ’s structure more clearly so you’re able to make your cuts with greater preciseness .
Diseases and pests:
May be capable to attack blight , fungous leafage bit , and rust , although some cultivars are breed to dissent these disease . Insect pests to find out out for admit sawfly , leaf miner , borers , andscale .
SERVICEBERRY VARIETIES
Photo by : Proven achiever
Spring Glory ® —Find a local Proven Winners retailerAmelanchier canadensis
Zones:4 - 8
Height and spread:12 pes improbable , 6 to 8 foot wide
Shorter in height than most , Spring Glory ® is ideal for plant in dispute position , such as under telephone and power production line or under the lightly shaded canopy of tall trees . In springiness , it ’s covered by clusters of delicate white flowers , followed by luscious reddish - purple berry in summertime . In autumn , the foliage turn fiery shade of red , orange , and yellow .
Photo by : Traveller70 / Shutterstock
SaskatoonAmelanchier alnifolia
Zones:2 - 9
Height and spread:10 to 15 invertebrate foot tall and wide
Native to western North America , this multi - stemmed shrub or Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree produces an abundance of large , bluish - purple berries in summer , providing a feast for birds and other wildlife . In fall , its small blue - green leaves bend intense shades of orange and reddened . Incredibly cold hardy , surviving winter temperatures below -40 ° atomic number 9 .
Photo by : Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock
Downy ServiceberryAmelanchier arborea
Zones:4 - 9
Height and spread:15 to 25 foot tall and extensive
The most Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - like of the serviceberries , usually possessing one main trunk and reaching height of up to 25 foundation . The coarse name refer to the leaves , which come forth a soft , downy gray before gradually wrench dingy green for the summer . In autumn , the foliage ranges in color from yellow - gold to orange - red .
Photo by : John Hagstrom / Millette Photomedia
' Autumn Brilliance’Amelanchierxgrandiflora’Autumn Brilliance '
Height and spread:15 to 20 feet tall , 10 to 15 foundation wide
The name of this pop hybrid was inspired by its prominent pin foliage , which move around brilliant shadowiness of red and orangish . It also is resistive to vulgar diseases , such as fervour blight and leaf spot . Although typically cut to grow as a exclusive or multi - trunk tree diagram , it can also be school as a large shrub .
Photo by : N. Stertz / Shutterstock
Rainbow Pillar ® Amelanchier canadensis’Glenn Form '
Height and spread:15 to 20 feet marvellous and 8 to 10 feet across-the-board
A proportionate , narrow , upright shape cause this Ohio native ideal for belittled gardens and fuddled corner . Beautiful pure white bloom in spring are followed by purplish sinister berries in summer . extremely repellent to rust and powdery mildew .
Photo by : Bertrand Dumont / Millette Photomedia
' Princess Diana’Amelanchierxgrandiflora’Princess Diana '
Height and spread:15 to 20 feet tall , 12 to 15 feet wide-cut
A Wisconsin aboriginal illustrious for its yellow flower bud , which bit by bit fade to whiten as they open up . In fall , the foliage become a vivacious reddish orange tree color .
photograph by : Paul S Drobot / Millette Photomedia
' Snowcloud’Amelanchier laevis’Snowcloud '
tallness and spread:20 to 25 feet tall , 12 to 15 feet wide
A striking cultivar blanketed by white white flowers in spring , followed by the emergence of bronze - purple foliage that turns glossy green in summer and scarlet red in fall . A svelte , upright habit makes this a great tree for smaller garden and curbside planting .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are serviceberries good to eat?
dead ! If you love blueberry , you ’ll enjoy the taste of service tree , which have a similar sweet flavor with a hint of almond . you could eat the yield raw or utilize it in any recipe that call for blueberries , including jams , gelatin , cobbler , PIE , and muffins . Serviceberries are also a nutritional human dynamo full-bodied in antioxidant and all important vitamins and minerals .
When is the best time to harvest serviceberries?
Generally , serviceberries are ready for harvest 2 to 3 month after the blooms appear . They are at their best when they ripen from red to a deep bluish - purple color and are slightly soft to the tactile sensation . But if you want to glean the berries a mo early to prevent them from becoming too easy , they will continue to mature after being cull . To forestall hiss from beating you to the harvesting , extend your tree with netting once the berries begin to seem .
Do you need two serviceberry trees to produce fruit?
MostAmelanchierspecies are ego - pollinating , which means you do not call for two trees to produce fruit . However , having more than one variety of saskatoon can improve yield production through cross - pollination .
Do deer eat serviceberries?
Deer tend to munch on both the leaves and fruit of serviceberries , especially if other food sources are scarce . If you ’re trying to protect your plants from cervid , consider using cervid repellant or installing physical barriers like fence to keep deer away from your flora ( see moredeer - proof tips ) . Other mammals that like snacking on shadberry admit squirrels , rabbits , chipmunks , Charles James Fox , and raccoon .
Should you plant a serviceberry next to the house?
plant a juneberry tree near your theatre can be a tremendous theme , set aside you to savor the fragrant flowers , colorful Berry ( as well as the fowl that feed on them ) , and vibrant autumn leaf at close range . Just ensure there ’s enough space for your serviceberry to grow to its mature size without intervene with your home ’s structure or usefulness lines . Also avoid planting your serviceberry too close to your rest home ’s foundation garment , so the roots have elbow room to spread .
