Description

Amelanchier – Seviceberry – Shadbush – Juneberry – Snowy Mespilus

There are about 30 species from moist woodland and stream banks in Europe, Asia, and North America are deciduous single or multi stem upright shrubs and small trees growing 20-30 feet tall, in this genus. There prized for their clouds of short displays of white sprays, of 5 petaled ½-3/4” across, star shaped flowers that bloom from early spring to mid spring.  Flowers appear along with the simple oval leaves that have a downy underside. Leaves have finely toothed edges, which open silver or bronze and develop brilliant autumn color.  They also bear spherical or pear shaped green, or maroon, or purple fruit ripening to purple or brown or black, which are edible and attracts birds.

Some species do well in acidic boggy ground or by the side of a pond.  Most prefer moist shelter sites under other trees but with ample light.

This species is prone fire blight, and variety of fungal leaf spots, Gymnosporangium rust, powdery mildew, dieback, and cankers caused by many different fungi occur.

Amelanchier asiatica – Asian Serviceberry – This native to China, Korea, and Japan is a spreading tree with arching branches reaching 25’ feet tall and 30’ feet wide.   It bears egg shape 1 ½-3” long leaves, which have white-hairy undersides when they emerge turning mid green in summer.  In late spring upright racemes 1 ¼-2 ½” long of scented white flowers are borne followed by blue-black fruit ¼- ½” across.  In autumn the leaves turn orange to red.

Zones 5-7