Amelanchier lamarckii

RHS Plant Profile
snowy mespilus

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snowy mespilus RHS
snowy mespilus RHS
snowy mespilus RHS 1997

Other common names

juneberry

Synonyms

Amelanchier canadensis K. Koch
Amelanchier canadensis var. botryapium
Amelanchier confusa Schmeil & Fitschen non Hylander.
Amelanchier botryapium DC. non (L. f.) Borkh.
Amelanchier laevis f. villosa
Amelanchier laevis

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A large erect deciduous shrub or small tree of open habit, with bronze-tinged young leaves turning orange and red in autumn. White flowers appear in short, lax racemes as the leaves unfurl followed by edible red to dark purple-black berries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

4-8 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
10–20 years
Max Spread
4-8 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

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

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H7

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Columnar upright
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
NE USA

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, lime free, well-drained soil. The best autumn colour is achieved when grown in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed and semi-hardwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Low Maintenance
  • Hedging and screens
  • Edible fruit

Pruning

Pruning group 1

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to fireblight and honey fungus