Serviceberry

Amelanchier x grandiflora

Leaves: Deciduous. Leaves are 2 to 4 inches long, oval to round shaped with a serrated edge and pointed tip. Dark to medium green color. Expectional fall colors of yellow, orange or red.

Bark/Twigs: Bark is brown to gray, thin and smooth, often with streaks of darker lines.

Flowers/Fruit: Flowers are white to pinkish white and grow in small bunches 2 to 4 inches long with 3 to 10 flowers. The 5 petals are narrow and ½ to 1½ inch long. Flowers appear early, before the leaves in early spring (April).  Fruit is a round, ¼ to ⅜ inch diameter, dark red to purple berry, that grow in tight clusters.  Berries ripen in late summer to early fall and are sweet and edible.

Mature size and shape: Small. 15 to 25 feet high x 15 feet wide. Crown is rounded, often with multiple stems.

General information/special features: Plant in full sun to partial shade. Prefers well-drained soils and partial sun. Drought tolerant once established.

Landscape use and maintenance: Most serviceberries are sold as a multi-trunk large shrub or sometimes a small tree. Average growing rate. Average maintenance. Fairly tough, free of pests and drought resistant.

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4 to 8

Family/Origin: Rosaceae – Rose. Amelanchier x grandiflora is a cross between A. arborea and A. laevis. A large shrub or small tree native to most of the U.S. A. alnifolilia and A. utahensis are Utah natives found in protected, cool canyon locations.

Campus Use: Common as a multi-trunk or clump form. Can be found east of Pioneer Memorial Theater (Bld 66).