Amelanchier or 'Serviceberry'

Perhaps one of the most underrated, yet useful small trees Amelanchier goes under the common name of "Serviceberry' or 'Juneberry'. The good points are many, Amelanchier is a small growing tree, so excellent for courtyards and smaller urban gardens. It has great white flowers in spring, strarry white and masses of them. The flowers are followed by edible (and ornamental) berries and then you also get good Autumn color as well.

Most cultivated species are originally from North America, however some are also found in Europe. Amelanchier or 'serviceberry' is easy to grow and copes well in full sun to part shade. A number of species and cultivars are available in the UK including A. x grandiflora 'Robin Hill' which has flowers that open with a touch of pink before fading to white.

In the UK the two popular species are A. canadensis which has a fairly upright growth habit and A.lamarkii with a broader spreading habit. With a little judicious pruning it is A.lamarkii that we like for a small spreading tree.

Tey underplanting wit Epimediums, Sarcococca , Huechera or Tiarella.

Varieties

• Amelanchier canadensis which is useful as a small tree with nice autumn color, lovely white flowers in spring (followed by red berries) are an added attraction. It does tend to sucker.
  
• A. lamarckii will reach around 10m, foliage emerges an olive green turning a deeper green with time.
  
• Amelanchier lamarckii 'Ballerina' is a popular cultivar, reachibg around 7m (21 ft) in height with a broad crown.
  
• Amelanchier arborea Robin Hill (downy serviceberry is another worth looking for.

Amelanchier or 'serviceberry' are available for sale from the following nurseries

CHEW VALLEY TREES - Tel: 01275 333 752
Winford Road Chew Magna Bristol BS40 8HJ
Tree nursery selling top quality specimen and ornamental bare root and container grown trees, shrubs, hedging and fruit trees. Available wholesale and retail nationwide.

You may also be interested in

• Drought tolerant plants
• Salvia
• Cottage garden plants

You can find Amaryliss Bulbs for sale at the following nurseries.

WALKERS BULBS
Huge range of Bulbs available by Mail Order. Including Amaryllis
www.bulbs.co.uk