Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) are large shrubs or single- or multi-stemmed small trees.
They are used as specimen and key plants in landscapes as well as in group plantings as borders, backdrops and screens.
Serviceberry provides year-round interest in white spring flowers, yellow to red fall foliage, smooth gray bark, and edible purple fruit.
Also called juneberries or Saskatoon berries, several serviceberry species are native to Minnesota and other parts of the United States.
Description
Deciduous small tree or shrub.
Height: 4 to 25 feet.
Width: 4 to 15 feet.
Upright, rounded, spreading form.
Early leaves are silvery-green and furry, changing to oval leaves after flowering.
Clusters of 5-petaled, white flowers with brightly-colored anthers in late April or May.
Pendulous clusters of small, round fruit ripens to dark purple in June.
Ripe fruit can be eaten fresh or used in jams, jellies and pies.
Excellent wildlife plants attractive to pollinators, birds and other animals.
Growing serviceberry
Hardiness zone: 2 to 8, cultivar dependent.
Full sun to full shade; cultivars grown for fruit will produce best in full sun.
Prefers loam soils, tolerates sand and clay.
Does best in lightly moist to moist soils.
Needs well-drained soils; avoid wet, poorly drained soils.
Soil pH: 5.5 to 7.0; tolerates higher. Have your soil tested by the U of M Soil Testing Lab.
Common problems
None serious. See What's wrong with my plant? – Serviceberry for most common pests in Minnesota.
Serviceberry species
There are several species of serviceberry. The species described below are all native to Minnesota.
Many cultivated varieties have been developed using these three species and their hybrids for use as ornamental landscape plants and for commercial fruit production.
Downy serviceberry (A. arborea) is a 15-to-25-foot multi-stemmed shrub or small tree that is native to the eastern border of Minnesota.
Smooth serviceberry (A. laevis) is larger shrub or small tree, often reaching heights of 40 to 45 feet, and is native to east central Minnesota.
- Saskatoon serviceberry (A. alnifolia) is a native of western Minnesota's prairies and is a 6-to-9-foot shrub. This species produces the best quality fruit.
Cultivated varieties of serviceberry for Minnesota
'Regent' - 6 feet tall by 8 feet wide, compact rounded growth habit, yellow and red fall color, drought tolerant.
'Autumn Brilliance' - 25 feet tall by 15 feet wide, rounded growth habit, red fall color.
Rainbow Pillar® - 20 feet tall by 10 feet wide, upright growth habit, orange and red fall color.
'Princess Diana' - 30 feet tall by 20 feet wide, spreading growth habit, red fall color.
Standing Ovation™- 15 feet tall by 4 feet wide, upright and narrow-crowned growth habit, red and orange fall color.
Reviewed in 2018