Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis (L.) Medik.
Also called: Shadbush, Juneberry, Canadian Serviceberry
Serviceberry. Amelanchier canadensis, the serviceberry or shadbush, is a small deciduous tree or large shrub native to swamps, bogs, and moist woods of eastern North America. A true four-season plant, it bears clouds of white flowers in early spring (as shad fish run upstream, hence shadbush), edible blueberry-like fruit in June, clean summer foliage, and orange-red fall color — all on an elegant multi-stemmed frame.
Growing & care
- Sun: full sun to part shade; flowers and fruits best in more sun.
- Water: prefers moist soil; native to wet sites but adapts to average garden conditions with watering.
- Soil: moist, well-drained, slightly acidic preferred; adaptable.
- Hardiness: USDA zones 4–8.
- Mature size: 15–25 feet tall; naturally multi-stemmed and suckering, often grown as a clump or small specimen tree.
- Pruning: minimal; remove suckers to maintain a tree form, or let it form a thicket.
Propagation
Suckers can be dug and transplanted in early spring — the easiest method for the home gardener. Seed needs 3–4 months of cold stratification and is slow. Softwood cuttings are difficult. Named cultivars selected for fruit or fall color are typically grafted or grown from tissue culture.
Common problems
Serviceberry is in the rose family and shares some of its pests: cedar-serviceberry rust (needs junipers as an alternate host) can spot leaves and fruit, and fireblight, leaf spot, and aphids appear occasionally — none usually serious. The biggest competition for the fruit is birds, which strip the berries fast, so net branches if you want a harvest. Non-toxic to dogs and cats; the fruit is delicious to humans (used in pies and jams). A superb compact native tree for four-season interest and edible landscaping.
Serviceberry — seeds, tools & books
Native range
Native range not recorded for this plant. Often a non-native cultivar or naturalized garden plant.
