Amelanchier laevis

RHS Plant Profile
smooth serviceberry
smooth serviceberry visionspictures.com

Other common names

Allegheny serviceberry, Allegheny shadberry, juneberry

Shrubs Trees Fruit Edible

A deciduous small tree, up to around 8m high, with a spreading habit, and oval leaves that are tinted pink and bronze when young, and turn orange and red in autumn. Pendent clusters of fragrant white flowers are produced in spring as the leaves unfurl, followed later by edible blue-black berries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

4-8 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
4-8 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Potentially harmful
The berries are edible, but this tree is usually grown as an ornamental plant rather than to provide a crop of fruit in the UK
Genus
Amelanchier are small deciduous trees or shrubs with showy white flowers in early spring, red to purple fruits and often good autumn colour
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, well-drained, lime-free soil; will grow in sun or partial shade but autumn colours are stronger in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Edible fruit

Pruning

Minimal pruning required; see pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to fireblight