Serviceberry Tree

Published by Reblogs - Credits in Posts, August 27th, 2023

Gardening

Plants & Flowers

Shrubs

9 Types of Serviceberry Trees and Shrubs for Your Yard

Vanessa Richins Myers

Updated on 05/09/23

Fact checked by

Cherisse Harris

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

Serviceberries are deciduous trees or shrubs found throughout the Northern Hemisphere. What makes them so attractive is their four-season interest: beautiful white blossoms in the spring, pome fruits in the summer, colorful foliage in the fall, and bark color in the winter. The common name of Juneberry is sometimes used because the fruit starts to ripen during that month. Other common names, shadbush, shadblow, and shadwood, allude to the fish that run and spawn at the same time these plants bloom. The purple pome fruits of the serviceberry are edible and can be eaten fresh or used to make jams or jellies. While no plant is deer-proof, serviceberries are generally resistant to deer browsing. These hardy plants are a great choice if you want to attract birds to your yard since they love the fruits.

Here are nine species of serviceberries, including several native varieties.

Click Play to Learn About Species of Serviceberry Trees

The Spruce

Tip

Serviceberry shrubs have a habit of producing suckers. This can be useful if you want the shrub to expand into a screening thicket, but it can also overcome a garden if the shrub is left undisciplined. Maintain growth control by regularly (once or twice a year) clippng off any suckering shoots at ground level.

01 of 09
Allegheny Serviceberry

Dan Mullen / Flickr / CC By 2.0

The Allegheny serviceberry, also known as smooth serviceberry, is native to North America. It is one of the tallest Amelanchier species that may form into multiple trunks. If you prefer a small tree, prune it to create a central leader to serve as the main trunk. This species grows best in moist soils with proper drainage. Like many serviceberries, this species provides color interest throughout several seasons. In spring, it bears clusters of white flowers. During summer, the fruit begins to form, ultimately becoming bluish-black. In autumn, the leaves change to red, orange, and yellow. If you want a tree with a fastigiate shape (upright with several leaders) or a column-like habit, look for the 'Snowcloud' variety. Other varieties available include 'Cumulus', 'Prince Charles', and 'R.J. Hilton'.
- ■Name: Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis)
- ■USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
- ■Light: Full sun, partial shade
- ■Mature Size: 15-40 ft. tall, 15-20 ft. wide
02 of 09
Apple Serviceberry

riskms / Getty Images

The apple serviceberry is a cross between two native North American serviceberry species, the downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) and the Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis). It is especially drought-tolerant. The white blossoms are particularly large on this hybrid. Fall foliage colors are red and yellow. You can prune it to assume a small tree form with one trunk, or leave it as a multi-stemmed shrub. The variety pictured is 'Cole's Select'. Another popular cultivar, 'Autumn Brilliance', offers red-orange foliage in the fall and resistance to diseases. Other varieties are 'Autumn Sunset', 'Ballerina', 'Princess Diana', 'Prince Charles', 'Prince William', 'Robin Hill', and 'Rubescens'.
- ■Name: Apple Serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora)
- ■USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-8
- ■Light: Full sun, partial shade
- ■Mature Size: 15-25 ft. tall and wide
03 of 09
Canadian Serviceberry

seven75 / Getty Images

The Canadian serviceberry, sometimes known as shadblow serviceberry, is native to eastern North American and hardier overall than other species. White, star-shaped flowers appear mid-April and bring butterflies and bees into your garden. This tree puts on a fall show with leaves that transform to orange-red, gold, or yellow. Choose a location with moist soils that offer good drainage for best results; it will tolerate dry soil but may struggle if drought conditions are present. Available cultivars include 'Glenn Form' (also known as 'Rainbow Pillar'), 'Prince William', 'Sprizam' (also known as 'Spring Glory'), and 'Trazam' (also known as 'Tradition').
- ■Name: Canadian serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis)
- ■USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-7
- ■Light: Full sun, partial shade
- ■Mature Size: 15-20 ft. tall and wide
04 of 09
Common Serviceberry

Alexander Nesterov / Getty Images

If you are looking for a serviceberry with large fruit, choose this species, also known as downy serviceberry. The leaves can be fuzzy when they first appear. In the fall, leaves are yellow, red, or orange. It forms several trunks, so pruning to a central leader will be needed if you prefer the look of a tree. Common serviceberry tolerates pollution, making it suitable for urban landscapes. There are three different varieties that naturally occur in eastern North America: common serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea var. arborea), Alabama serviceberry (A. arborea var. alabamensis.), and downy serviceberry (A. arborea var. austromontana).
- ■Name: Common serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea)
- ■USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-9
- ■Light: Full sun, partial shade
- ■Mature Size: 15-25 ft. tall and wide
05 of 09
Juneberry

Roel_Meijer / Getty Images

It is unknown whether this is its own species or the result of a cross between other Amelanchier species. In native environments in North America, this is a large understory shrub or small tree that is similar to Allegheny serviceberry, but with silky hairs on the young stems and leaves. Drooping clusters of white, star-shaped flowers appear in early spring before the leaves unfurl. The namesake dark purple/ black berries appear in June (they can be used in jams). The leaves are finely toothed, up to three inches long, and turn orange-red in fall.
- ■Name: Juneberry (Amelanchier lamarckii, or Amelanchier × lamarckii)
- ■USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-8
- ■Light: Full sun, partial shade
- ■Mature Size: 15-25 ft. tall and wide
06 of 09
Roundleaf Serviceberry

Dan Mullen / Flickr / CC By 2.0

This serviceberry species is found in southern Canada, in the eastern United States, and northern portions of the Midwest. It was named for its red twigs (sanguinea means "blood red"). a characteristic that can be used to distinguish it from other species of serviceberry. Other common names are red twig serviceberry and sand serviceberry. The white flowers are fragrant and appear early in spring.
- ■Name: Roundleaf serviceberry (Amelanchier sanguinea)
- ■USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9
- ■Light: Full sun, partial shade
- ■Mature Size: 3-8 ft. tall, 6 ft. wide
07 of 09
Saskatoon Serviceberry

Brewbooks / Flickr / CC By 2.0

Some botanists classify Saskatoon serviceberry as a variation of roundleaf (red twig) serviceberry, giving it the official name of Amelanchier sanguinea var. alnifolia. The leaves are similar to those found on alder (Alnus) species. In fact, the plant often is known by the common name alder-leaved serviceberry. This species is native to western North America and tolerates cold temperatures well. In fact, there is even a variety available ('Altaglow') that is able to grow in chilly zone 1. The size varies greatly depending on the variety. A. alnifolia 'Regent' only grows 4 to 6 feet tall and wide.
- ■Name: Saskatoon serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia)
- ■USDA Hardiness Zones: 4-9; some cultivars suitable as far north as zone 1
- ■Light: Full sun, partial shade
- ■Mature Size: 4-15 ft. tall, 6-8 ft. wide
08 of 09
Snowy Mespilus

Gwengoat / Getty Images

Unlike most other serviceberries, which are native to the American continent, this species is native to central and southern Europe. This small shrub, also known as garden serviceberry, has oval leaves and is covered with clusters of white flowers in the spring. The fruit is a rich purplish-blue hue when mature. For a dwarf variety, select 'Pumila', which only grows 3 to 5 feet tall and wide.
- ■Name: Snowy mespilus (Amelanchier ovalis)
- ■USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-7
- ■Light: Full sun, partial shade
- ■Mature Size: 15-20 ft. tall and wide
09 of 09
Utah Serviceberry

Andrei Stanescu / Getty Images

Sometimes known as western serviceberry because it is native to western North America, this is one of the more drought-tolerant serviceberries. Spring brings white flowers. In summer, the fruit is formed and matures to purple-black. In the fall the green leaves shift to shades of yellow. It serves as an important source of food for wildlife.
- ■Name: Utah serviceberry (Amelanchier utahensis)
- ■USDA Hardiness Zones: 5-8
- ■Light: Full sun, partial shade
- ■Mature Size: 6-15 ft. tall, 6-10 ft. wide

Learn More

To best fit a serviceberry in your landscape, check out these useful guides:

Tip

Amelanchier species can serve as a host for rust fungi like cedar-quince rust, cedar-serviceberry rust, and cedar-hawthorn rust, which are caused by Gymnosporangium species. They may also be attacked by fire blight, powdery mildew, Entomosporium leaf spot (Entomosporium spp.) and cankers. Witches'-brooms can also form. Potential pests include aphids, borers, deer, Japanese beetles, leafminers, mice, pear slug sawfly, plum curculio, rabbits, scales, spider mites.[1] Birds may be considered a pest if you prefer to keep the fruits for yourself.