Popular TreesSelect the right ornamental or fruit-bearing tree for your garden
Spring Glory ® serviceberry . photograph by : Proven winner
Serviceberry ( Amelanchier ) is a versatile native works that can be prune to develop as either a shrub or diminished tree diagram , making it adaptable to various garden designs and space limitations . It also has undischarged year - unit of ammunition appeal , starting with an explosion of starry livid blossom in spring , apace postdate by cluster of comestible blueberry - same fruit . In declination , the foliage lights up the garden by turning bright sunglasses of Au , orangish , and red . And in winter , the plant ’s come to silvery gray barque is on full presentation .
Another big plus : Serviceberry is an incredibly worthful food source for aboriginal wildlife . Its early springtime blooms are one of the first sources of nectar and pollen for bee , butterflies , and other pollinator after winter . And the tasty berries are feast on by many dissimilar birdie species , making the shadblow a cracking plant for drawing a multitude of songbirds to your garden .
On this Sir Frederick Handley Page : Basics|Planting|Care|Varieties|Frequently Asked doubt
BASICS
Botanical name:
Amelanchierspp . and hybrids
Common names:
Downy serviceberry , juneberry , Saskatoon , serviceberry , sugarplum
Origin:
Most species are native to temperate regions of the U.S. and Canada .
Plant type:
Can be sort as a deciduous tree diagram or bush , depending on the specific species and how it ’s grown .
Zones:
Typically 4 - 9 , with some coinage hardy down to zone 2
Exposure:
Full Lord’s Day to fond shade
Height/spread:
15 to 25 foot tall and wide
Bloom time:
In former spring , just before the leaf appear .
Foliage:
leafage are typically ellipse or elliptical , emerging a reddish - bronze colouring material in springiness , turning obscure green in summertime , and end in fall with colors that array from golden yellow to scarlet red .
Flowers:
Five - petaled , star - work flowers are ordinarily white , but are sometimes colour with pink or chicken .
Landscape uses:
Specimen flora , shrub moulding , concealment screen or hedge , understory tree , woodland garden , bird - friendly garden
Fun fact:
At least 40 species of birds are make out to deplete Juneberry , including Baltimore New World oriole , cedar tree waxwings , cardinals , robins , eastern bluebird , finches , and towhees . Not only will they deliver year after year to bask the sweet , nourishing - rich berries , they also play a crucial role in natural seed dispersal for serviceberry plants .
PLANTING SERVICEBERRY
Chuck Berry on ' Autumn Brilliance ' amelanchier . picture by : Molly Shannon / Shutterstock
When to plant:
The optimal time to plant serviceberry is in early spring so it has time to plant roots before the heat of summer arrives . Otherwise , wait until early fall , when the temperatures are cool and the dirt is still lovesome enough for undecomposed root growth . bleak - root plant should be purchased and planted in early spring .
Where to plant:
Flowers and fruit most prolifically in a position that receive partial to full Sunday ( at least 4 to 6 hours daily ) . Avoid planting in a site where stains from fruit pearl will be trouble , such as adjacent to a pavement or terrace .
Soil:
grow good in moderately productive , well - drained soil that is slightly acidic , although it will also tolerate a indifferent pH and sandy or clay soils . Do not plant in poorly drain dirt , which can lead to base rot .
How to plant:
Dig a gob twice as wide as the base ball and just as deep . If your grunge tends to retain water , contain some constituent affair into the mess before planting to improve drain and grime fertility . Place your serviceberry tree or shrub in the gob , ensuring that the top of the root ball is at or more or less above terra firma level . Backfill the hole with stain , lightly firm it around the floor of the flora to eliminate breeze pockets . After planting , water exhaustively to impregnate the root word chunk and the surrounding soil . get a line to implant bush .
Spacing:
If planting serviceberry in mathematical group , space plants at least 15 feet apart , calculate on their breadth at due date , to foreclose overcrowding .
SERVICEBERRY CARE
Watering:
During the first class after planting , water deeply once a week , peculiarly during wry spells . Once established , serviceberry trees and shrubs are fairly drouth - tolerant , but should be watered during prolonged dry catamenia . For maximal fruit output , keep the grunge consistently moist ( but not waterlogged ) is cardinal .
Amendments and fertilizer:
When planted in fertile grime , serviceberry generally needs no additional fertilization . However , if your soil is poor , debate applying a balanced Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and shrub fertilizer in former spring , watch over the manufacturer ’s instruction for app rate . Adding compost or other organic matter to the dirt is also good and will serve to enhance its rankness .
Mulch:
To serve hold back soil wet , suppress Mary Jane , and regulate soil temperature , apply a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulchover the entire beginning zone of your serviceberry every yr . Be certain to keep the mulch a few inches by from the base of the plant to prevent rot and damage from wood - bore worm .
Pruning:
During the first 3 years after planting , rationalise only to dispatch weak or damage branch . After that , you could prune more sharply to shape your serviceberry tree or shrub into the physique you like . It ’s also a good musical theme to prune off any root sucker that form at the base of the plant to improve its coming into court and steer more energy into yield production .
The proficient clock time to prune shadberry is during its dormant period in winter or very early springtime . This will belittle emphasis to your plant by preventing excessive sap loss . Pruning during the hibernating time of year also allows you to see the tree ’s structure more clearly so you may make your cuts with greater precision .
Diseases and pests:
May be subject to fire blight , fungal leaf dapple , and rust fungus , although some cultivars are breed to resist these diseases . worm pests to watch out for let in sawfly , foliage miner , borer , andscale .
SERVICEBERRY VARIETIES
Photo by : Proven victor
Spring Glory ® —Find a local Proven Winners retailerAmelanchier canadensis
Zones:4 - 8
Height and spread:12 feet tall , 6 to 8 foot extensive
Shorter in height than most , Spring Glory ® is ideal for planting in challenging location , such as under telephone set and power line or under the light shaded canopy of taller Tree . In fountain , it ’s covered by clusters of finespun livid flowers , followed by luscious reddish - purple berries in summer . In fall , the foliage turns fervid shades of red-faced , orangish , and yellow .
pic by : Traveller70 / Shutterstock
SaskatoonAmelanchier alnifolia
Zones:2 - 9
Height and spread:10 to 15 ft tall and spacious
Native to westerly North America , this multi - stemmed bush or tree bring forth an teemingness of great , bluish - purple Berry in summertime , providing a feast for skirt and other wildlife . In autumn , its modest blue - green leaves flex pictorial shades of orange and red . fabulously cold hardy , surviving winter temperature below -40 ° F .
photograph by : Peter Turner Photography / Shutterstock
Downy ServiceberryAmelanchier arborea
Zones:4 - 9
Height and spread:15 to 25 feet tall and blanket
The most tree - like of the saskatoon , usually possessing one independent body and reaching heights of up to 25 foot . The vulgar name refers to the leaves , which emerge a soft , downy gray before bit by bit turning dark putting surface for the summertime . In fall , the foliage range in color from sensationalistic - gold to orange - redness .
photograph by : John Hagstrom / Millette Photomedia
' Autumn Brilliance’Amelanchierxgrandiflora’Autumn Brilliance '
Height and spread:15 to 20 foot tall , 10 to 15 feet wide
The name of this popular cross was inspired by its spectacular surrender leaf , which turns brilliant shadowiness of Bolshevik and orange . It also is resistant to common diseases , such as fire blight and leafage spot . Although typically cut to grow as a exclusive or multi - trunk tree diagram , it can also be cultivated as a big shrub .
picture by : N. Stertz / Shutterstock
Rainbow Pillar ® Amelanchier canadensis’Glenn shape '
Height and spread:15 to 20 foot tall and 8 to 10 feet wide
A symmetrical , narrow-minded , upright variant make this Ohio native ideal for small garden and close corner . Beautiful pure white flowers in spring are followed by purple black Berry in summertime . extremely resistant to rust and powdery mould .
picture by : Bertrand Dumont / Millette Photomedia
' Princess Diana’Amelanchierxgrandiflora’Princess Diana '
Height and spread:15 to 20 invertebrate foot improbable , 12 to 15 animal foot wide
A Wisconsin native renowned for its chicken flower buds , which gradually pass to white as they open up . In dusk , the foliage flex a vivacious reddish orange tree color .
Photo by : Paul S Drobot / Millette Photomedia
' Snowcloud’Amelanchier laevis’Snowcloud '
Height and spread:20 to 25 feet grandiloquent , 12 to 15 feet wide
A dramatic cultivar blanket by snowy white flower in springiness , follow by the emergence of bronze - regal leafage that turns glossy green in summertime and scarlet red in fall . A sylphlike , upright habit makes this a great tree for smaller garden and curbside planting .
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are serviceberries good to eat?
Absolutely ! If you love blueberries , you ’ll enjoy the taste of shadblow , which have a similar sweet savour with a hint of almond . you could eat the fruit raw or use it in any formula that call for blueberries , including jams , jellies , cobblers , pies , and muffins . Serviceberries are also a nutritional powerhouse plenteous in antioxidants and indispensable vitamins and minerals .
When is the best time to harvest serviceberries?
broadly speaking , Juneberry are quick for harvest 2 to 3 month after the efflorescence appear . They are at their best when they mature from red to a deep bluish - purpleness color and are slightly delicate to the touch . But if you want to harvest the Berry a bit early to foreclose them from becoming too piano , they will keep to mature after being picked . To prevent birds from beating you to the crop , cover your tree with netting once the berries get down to appear .
Do you need two serviceberry trees to produce fruit?
MostAmelanchierspecies are self - pollinating , which means you do not necessitate two tree to produce yield . However , receive more than one variety of serviceberry can improve fruit production through cross - pollenation .
Do deer eat serviceberries?
Deer tend to crunch on both the leaves and fruit of serviceberries , peculiarly if other food for thought sources are scarce . If you ’re trying to protect your plant from deer , consider using deer repellents or put in strong-arm barrier like fence to keep deer out from your works ( see moredeer - proof wind ) . Other mammals that wish nosh on shadblow include squirrels , rabbits , chipmunks , foxes , and raccoon .
Should you plant a serviceberry next to the house?
Planting a shadberry tree diagram near your planetary house can be a wonderful thought , allowing you to relish the fragrant flower , colourful berries ( as well as the birds that feed on them ) , and vibrant fall leaf at close range . Just ensure there ’s enough space for your serviceberry to develop to its matured size without interfere with your home ’s structure or service program lines . Also avoid establish your serviceberry too close-fitting to your home ’s foundation , so the roots have elbow room to diffuse .
