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Amelanchier x grandiflora

Image of Amelanchier x grandiflora

Jesse Saylor

Family

Rosaceae

Botanical Name

Amelanchier x grandiflora

Plant Common Name

Apple Serviceberry

General Description

Beautiful in flower, form and fall leaf color, the apple serviceberry is a shrubby small tree that warrants use in a variety of garden settings. It is a naturally occurring hybrid that combines the vigor, adaptability, and beauty of its two parents, Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) and downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea). Many ornamental cultivars have been selected from this cross, all of which have great merit. The fruits are edible, sweet and can be eaten raw or used to make preserves or pie.

In mid-spring, just before the new leaves emerge, short drooping clusters of white, five-petaled flowers grace the branches. These are primarily pollinated by bees. Berry-like edible fruits follow, which ripen to reddish purple by summer and are sought after by wildlife. The mature leaves are oval, tapered at the tips and turn brilliant shades of orange and red in autumn.

Grow apple serviceberry in full sun to partial shade and fertile, moist, well-drained soil. This species is pH adaptable and will tolerate many soil types if need be. Apple serviceberry looks ideal in any landscape setting but is most at home in a naturalistic garden. To accentuate the visual impact of its spring flowers, plant this tree in front of dark evergreens or a building.

Many quality apple serviceberry cultivars exist including the vigorous 'Autumn Brilliance' with its magnificent orange-red fall leaves and comparably fall-worthy 'Princess Diana' and 'Cole Select'. Pink-flowered forms include 'Rubescens', and 'Robin Hill', which is just pink in bud.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    7 - 1

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    3 - 7

  • Sunset Zone

    1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6

  • Plant Type

    Tree

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun

  • Height

    20'-30' / 6.1m - 9.1m

  • Width

    22'-28' / 6.7m - 8.5m

  • Bloom Time

    Spring

  • Native To

    Hybrid Origin

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Average

  • Soil type

    Clay, Loam, Sand

  • Growth Rate

    Medium

  • Water Requirements

    Average Water

  • Habit

    Oval/Rounded

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    White, Light Pink

  • Fruit Color

    Purple, Dark Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Bronze

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Red, Orange, Burgundy, Orange Red

  • Bark Color

    Brown, Sandy Brown

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Flower Petal Number

    Single

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    Yes

  • Showy Foliage

    No

  • Foliage Texture

    Medium

  • Foliage Sheen

    Matte

  • Evergreen

    No

  • Showy Bark

    Yes

Special Characteristics

  • Bark Texture

    Smooth

  • Usage

    Edible, Feature Plant, Foundation, Fruit / Fruit Tree, Mixed Border, Screening / Wind Break, Shade Trees

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    No

  • Invasive

    No

  • Attracts

    Birds

  • Self-Sowing

    No