SafePlants

Serviceberry: A Multifaceted Delight

The serviceberry, with its year-round appeal and edible fruit, is a welcome addition to any landscape. Known for its beautiful flowers in spring and delicious berries in summer, this plant offers something for everyone.

Considerations for Pets

• Serviceberries produce small, berry-like fruit that may be tempting to pets.

Considerations for Children

• Serviceberries produce small, berry-like fruit that may be tempting to children.

Scientific Name and Common Names

• Scientific Name: Amelanchier spp. (various species exist)
• Common Names: Serviceberry, Sarvisberry, Shadblow, Shadbush, Juneberry, Saskatoon, Sugar plum, Sugar pear, Indian pear, Sarvis, Wild pear. Other common names include Bilberry, Les Poires, Saskatoon Berry, Western Serviceberry, Alder-Leaf Shadbush, Dwarf Shadbush, Western Juneberry.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Rosaceae (Rose family)
• Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry) is specifically mentioned.
• Amelanchier x grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance' is a specific cultivar.
• Amelanchier alnifolia (Saskatoon Berry, Western Serviceberry, Alder-Leaf Shadbush, Dwarf Shadbush, Western Juneberry)
• Amelanchier canadensis (Shadblow Serviceberry)

Distribution and Habitat

• Serviceberries are found in every U.S. state.
• Downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) has a native habitat stretching from Maine to Iowa.

Ecological Role

• Serviceberries are used for food and cover to improve wildlife habitat.

Morphological Characteristics & Growth Habits

• Serviceberries are deciduous shrubs or small trees.
• They can be multi-trunked with smooth gray bark.
• Leaves are oval or round. Deciduous leaves of downy service-berry may turn wine-red in fall.
• Downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) typically grows 15-25 feet tall but can reach 25 to 40 feet.
• Utah serviceberry is a small tree or large shrub that is much branched or in clumps, reaching an average height of about 15 feet at maturity.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• The purple berries attract wildlife.

Quirky Facts

• The name "Serviceberry" originated with early Eastern settlers.
• Serviceberries were an important part of the deities of many Native American tribes.

Resources and Further Information

• Arborday.org offers information on size, height, growth rate, sun and soil preference for Downy Serviceberry and other species.
• RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) provides information on Amelanchier grandiflora 'Ballerina'.
• Cold Stream Farm in Michigan sells Serviceberry Shrubs.