Alphabetical Plant Listing

Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry)

Downy Serviceberry, Juneberry, Shadbush, Service-Tree, Sarvis-Tree, Amelanchier Tree


Early-flowering, Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry) is a large deciduous shrub or small tree of rounded habit boasting a profusion of 5-petaled, showy, slightly fragrant, white flowers in early to mid-spring. Borne in drooping clusters, they appear before the leaves emerge. Attractive to pollinators, they are followed by small, round, tasty, dark purplish-black berries in early summer. Resembling blueberries in size and color, they taste like those of highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and are often used in jams, jellies, and pies if not eaten by the birds. The foliage of finely-toothed, obovate leaves emerges covered with soft, woolly hairs that disappear as the leaves mature (hence the common name). Rich green in summer, the leaves, up to 4 in. long (10 cm), turn fiery shades of yellow, orange, apricot, or dusty red in the fall. The smooth, gray bark is streaked with longitudinal fissures and provides an excellent effect in winter. Native to eastern North America, Downy Serviceberry grows on a variety of sites from swampy lowlands to dry woods and sandy bluffs. It also grows on rocky ridges, forest edges, and open woodlands and fields. Very easy to grow, Downy Serviceberry provides year-round interest in the garden and is most effective in naturalistic plantings and along wood edges, ponds and streams.

  • Grows up to 15-25 ft. tall and wide (4-8 m).
  • A full sun to part shade lover, this plant is easily grown in moist to dry, well-drained, acidic soils. Best berry production and fall color occur in full sun. Tolerant of a somewhat wide range of soils, including those that are loamy, sandy, or rocky.
  • Low maintenance, this plant is also generally pest and disease free but keep an eye out for fire blight.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant or shrub borders. Great in naturalized or native plant gardens and along ponds and streams.
  • Propagate by seed and semi-hardwood cuttings.
  • Native to eastern North America.

Not sure which Amelanchier - Serviceberries to pick?
Compare All Amelanchier - Serviceberries

Buy Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry)

Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 9
Heat Zones 4 – 9
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Amelanchier - Serviceberries
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 15' – 25' (4.5m – 7.5m)
Spread 15' – 25' (4.5m – 7.5m)
Spacing 180" – 300" (450cm – 750cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Clay Soil, Dry Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Ponds and Streams
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Buy Plants

Guides with Amelanchier - Serviceberries


By Katja Schulz, Melissa McMasters, Flickr, Shutterstock

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 4 – 9
Heat Zones 4 – 9
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Amelanchier - Serviceberries
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 15' – 25' (4.5m – 7.5m)
Spread 15' – 25' (4.5m – 7.5m)
Spacing 180" – 300" (450cm – 750cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Southwest, Oklahoma, Texas
Tolerance Clay Soil, Dry Soil
Attracts Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Ponds and Streams
Garden Styles City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow

Guides with Amelanchier - Serviceberries

Plant Calculator

How many Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.