Muller, Thomas L.
Amelanchier arborea (Michx. f.) Fern.
Common serviceberry, Downy serviceberry, Shadbush, Juneberry
Rosaceae (Rose Family)
This Amelanchier species is a tall
shrub or small
tree, usually 15-25 ft., sometimes growing as tall as 30 ft. Its white flowers occur in drooping racemes, appearing before the leaves. Young leaves are covered with soft, woolly hairs that disappear as the leaf matures. The plant’s ornamental
bark is gray and smooth but streaked with longitudinal fissures; often with a reddish cast. Old
bark is scaly. Small, edible berries are reddish-purple. The
deciduous leaves of downy service-berry may turn wine-red in fall.
The names Shadbush and Shadblow allude to the fact that the showy masses of white flowers tend to occur at the same time that shad ascend the rivers in early spring to spawn. An older name is Sarvis. Sometimes planted as an ornamental for the showy clusters of flowers. This is the plant that is commonly sold in the nursery trade as
Amelanchier canadensis. The latter is in fact a shrubby East Coast species.
Image Gallery:
4 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Shrub Leaf Retention: Deciduous Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Leaf Complexity: Simple Leaf: Dark Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Purple, Red
Size Class: 12-36 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , CT , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , ME , MD , MA , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NH , NJ , NY , NC , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , TX , VT , VA , WV , WI , DC
Canada: NB ,
NL ,
NS ,
ON ,
QC Native Distribution: N.B. to FL, w. to e. MN, e. NE & n.e. TX
Native Habitat: Open, rocky woods & slopes; wood borders; stream banks
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: None
Soil Description: Moist, well-drained, acid soils.
Conditions Comments: Serviceberries are subject to many of disease and insect problems. Damage from these problems is usually cosmetic rather than life threatening. This species is most effective in naturalistic plantings and along wood edges, ponds and streams. Rabbits destroy seedlings.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: This is a preferred Amelanchier spp. for birds and other wildlife.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Fragrant Flowers: yes
Fragrant Foliage: yes
Attracts: Birds
Last Update: 2010-07-19
