Allegheny Serviceberry

Scientific name

Amelanchier laevis

Description

The Allegheny Serviceberry is an attractive deciduous shrub species that can reach about 3 m as a shrub or up to 10 m as a tree. This plant may also be known by the common name Smooth Serviceberry. It can be grown either in the form of a single stem tree or multi-stemmed shrub comprised of two or three smaller trunks. The leaves are dark green, alternately arranged, oval shaped, and have finely toothed margins. The flowers are showy, fragrant, have 5 petals, appear in drooping clusters, and bloom in April before the leaves emerge. The flowers produce small reddish purple to black berries, which are edible and flavorful to humans. The fruit is beneficial to wildlife species, including birds and small mammals. The root system is valuable for controlling erosion and stabilizing loose soil. This plant is often used for ornamental purposes as a small tree in urban areas.

Planting conditions

Allegheny Serviceberry grows best in moist conditions with full or partial sun exposure. It prefers well-drained, loam soil types but can tolerate a range of soil types. This shrub can be naturally found in open forests, moist fields, and along river or lake shorelines.

Details

• Plant height:
  • Any
  • Over 3m
• Moisture level:
  • Dry
  • Normal
  • Moist
• Light conditions:
  • Full sun
  • Partial sun
• Soil type:
  • Sandy
  • Loamy
  • Rocky
• pH:
  • Acidic
  • Normal
• Depth:
  • Potted
  • Bareroot
• Eco Zone:
  • 3a
  • 3b
  • 4a
  • 4b
  • 5a
  • 5b
  • 6a
  • 6b
• Plant type:
  • Shrub
• Height:
  • 3-10 m
• Spread:
  • 3 m