This Service Berry, Amelanchier alnifolia, is a very slow-growing, deciduous shrub to 10', with edible blue berries 1/4" across. This good wildlife plant ranges from North Dakota to southern California, is an attractive bush with an abundance of 1" white flowers, and the fruits look something like a blueberry. The fruit of this plant was important as a food source for the native American tribes that lived within its range. Looks and tastes like a blueberry.
This bush is dramatic in the wild. In your garden it wants part shade and regular moisture, not watering as much as a moist spot. That shady alcove that your neighbor's overwatering makes against the back retaining wall. Service Berry sure looks nicer than that ugly wall and the moss looks good with a Service Berry. If you have a north wall or north slope this bush can be pruned into a little tree and can create a miniature theme park.
Mix with a few Heuchera micrantha,
Aquilegia formosa,and Aquilegia pubescens, Boykinia occidentalis and Satureja douglasii
This Amelanchier has been called, Aronia alnifolia, Amelanchier canadensis pumila, A. glabra, A. cusickii, A. polycarpa, A. bakeri, A. basalticola, A. elliptica, A. mormonica, A. goldmanii, A. florida. Don't be too impressed if someone has named a plant, seems everyone has.
Amelanchier alnifolia is great for a bird garden.
Foliage of Amelanchier alnifolia has color lt-green and is deciduous.
Flower of Amelanchier alnifolia has color white.
Fruit of Amelanchier alnifolia is edible.
Communities for Amelanchier alnifolia:Mixed-evergreen Forest, Southern Oak Woodland and Yellow Pine Forest.
ph: | 5.00 to 7.00 |
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usda: | 3 to 10 |
height[m]: | 1.00 to 3.00 |
width[m]: | 0.50 to 1.00 |
rainfall[cm]: | 67.00 to 167.00 |