Serviceberry, Snowy Mespilus, June Berry (Amelanchier lamarckii)
The Serviceberry (Snowy Mespilus or June Berry) is a small tree or multi-stemmed bush growing to a maximum height of 8 metres. Pretty white flowers appear at the end of April. Magnificent red autumn colour. The small blue-black berries are fairly tasteless and were used in the past instead of currants.
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Appearance
The Serviceberry (Snowy Mespilus or June Berry) is a small tree or multi-stemmed bush growing to a maximum height of 8 metres. Pretty white flowers appear at the end of April. Magnificent red autumn colour. The small blue-black berries are fairly tasteless and were used in the past instead of currants.
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Spring
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Autumn
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Leaves
Elliptical to narrowly elliptical, stalked leaves, sharply pointed or pointed with serrated edge and rounded to slightly heart-shaped base. Dark green above, grey-green below (shoots are copper-red). 3-10cm long, 2-10cm wide. Attractive brilliant red autumn colour.
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Leaf upperside
Elliptical to narrowly elliptical, stalked leaves, sharply pointed or pointed with serrated edge and rounded to slightly heart-shaped base. Dark green above, grey-green below (shoots are copper-red). 3-10cm long, 2-10cm wide. Attractive brilliant red autumn colour.
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Leaf underside
Elliptical to narrowly elliptical, stalked leaves, sharply pointed or pointed with serrated edge and rounded to slightly heart-shaped base. Dark green above, grey-green below (shoots are copper-red). 3-10cm long, 2-10cm wide. Attractive brilliant red autumn colour.
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Leaf autumn
Elliptical to narrowly elliptical, stalked leaves, sharply pointed or pointed with serrated edge and rounded to slightly heart-shaped base. Dark green above, grey-green below (shoots are copper-red). 3-10cm long, 2-10cm wide. Attractive brilliant red autumn colour.
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Flowers
Flowering period IV-V. White, bell-shaped flowers with 5 petals per blossom, 2-3cm wide, 6-16 blossoms per raceme, highly ornamental. Petals are 9-14mm long, 2.5-5mm wide, stem 1.5-2.5cm long.
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Fruits
Pretty blue-black berries, 1cm, oblong, with upright calyx tips. The apple-like berries are edible, sweet and juicy, and can be used as a substitute for currants.
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Bark
Grey-green bark, smooth or with shallow furrows when young, with spot-like lenticels when older. The branches are brown or reddish brown. Banded surface, round cross-section.
Poisonousness
The seeds and leaves contain small amounts of glycosides. Consumption of larger quantities of seeds or leaves may, in exceptional cases, lead to discomfort. The fruit can be made into jam.
Application
Bee pastures, orchards, large bush, for planting in groups, forage for birds
Native regions
Canada, USA
Location parameters
Light: sunny to off-sun; soil type: sandy-loamy to loamy-clayey; nutrient concentration: low to high; pH value of the soil: slightly acid to slightly alkaline; soil: dry to moist.
Demands
Intolerant of salt; tolerates waterlogged conditions; very frost-hardy, fume-hardy; tolerates urban climates; wind-resistant; also tolerates extended dry periods. Light: sun to off-sun.
Growth
5 - 8m high, 4-6m in diameter
Leaves
Elliptical to narrowly elliptical, stalked leaves, sharply pointed or pointed with serrated edge and rounded to slightly heart-shaped base. Dark green above, grey-green below (shoots are copper-red). 3-10cm long, 2-10cm wide. Attractive brilliant red autumn colour.
Flowers
Flowering period IV-V. White, bell-shaped flowers with 5 petals per blossom, 2-3cm wide, 6-16 blossoms per raceme, highly ornamental. Petals are 9-14mm long, 2.5-5mm wide, stem 1.5-2.5cm long.
Fruits
Pretty blue-black berries, 1cm, oblong, with upright calyx tips. The apple-like berries are edible, sweet and juicy, and can be used as a substitute for currants.
Bark
Grey-green bark, smooth or with shallow furrows when young, with spot-like lenticels when older. The branches are brown or reddish brown. Banded surface, round cross-section.
Roots
Surface-rooter, with a dense network of roots. Suckers are rarely formed.