September Tree of the Month-Serviceberry

It seems more and more homeowners are shying away from large trees like oaks or maples. They want something small, they want flowers, they want fall color … some want native. So why don’t more people know about Amelanchier, commonly called Juneberry or serviceberry trees?

I consider Amelanchier canadensis and A, arborea four-season trees. Fragrant white flowers in early spring, edible fruit in June (hence the name “Juneberry”), excellent fall color, and beautiful smooth, silvery-grey bark in winter. What more can you ask from a tree? Pollinators love the flowers, while wildlife and people love the fruit, which is edible right off the tree or can be made into pies, jams, or jellies.

Amelanchier arborea is a Missouri native that typically grows 15-25′. A. canadensis can grow slightly larger. Amelanchier is commonly found in the trade as a multi-stem tree, but single-stem cultivars and crosses are available such as ‘Princess Diana,’ ‘Regent,’ ‘Forest Prince.,’ and ‘Autumn Brilliance.’

All prefer a little shade, especially from the harsh late-afternoon sun, and all are tolerant of varied soils.

What I love about this plant:

-Fragrant flowers in spring.

-Edible fruits in June.

-Excellent fall color.

-Smaller native tree perfect for small landscapes, patio areas, and woodland gardens.

What’s not so great:

-Can occasionally sucker, especially with the native A. arborea. 

-Fairly problem-free, but being in the Rosacea family, it can be prone to pests such as sawflies, borers, or leaf miners. Occasional powdery mildew, fire blight, or leaf spot. 

Words and photos by Jo Batzer unless stated otherwise.

© Jo Batzer, garden-lou.com, All rights reserved.