Amelanchier canadensis

The delightful Serviceberry tree, Amelanchier canadensis, thrives best in very well drained to boggy and damp conditions where it will grow into a small tree or large shrub. It offers an enchanting, pretty display of lovely star-shaped white flowers in spring, March to April. The flowers have a slight but not significant fragrance.

The flowers give way to green, small and round berries which ripen to red and mature to a dark purple black at the start of summer. The berries are sweet and edible and closely resemble blueberries in colour and size. They are ideal for using in jellies, jams, cakes and pies.

Summer sees rounded dark green leaves which in autumn, turn a vivid flaming orange and gold. The tree is deciduous and will lose its leaves in winter. To achieve the best autumn display of bold, vibrant colours, plant your Serviceberry tree in full sun. The tree grows to produce an attractive well branched framework that may require gentle pruning in late winter or early spring.

Due to its fairly small size, the Serviceberry tree is an ideal tree for small gardens where it will attract a large number of birds. It can be used for screening and also makes a lovely display along walkways and paths or beside a garden pond. Plant next to dark backdrops which will highlight the lovely white flowers.