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Resources < Wildlife Habitats < Guide to Native Plants of Georgia for Wildlife < Amelanchier arborea
Downy Serviceberry is a cheerful plant whose profuse clusters of white flowers never fail to delight in the spring before most other plants have gathered up the strength to put on their own shows. The leaves emerge covered in a silvery fluff (hence the common name) and the sweet, edible berries altogether make this plant an excellent accent to the native garden, a standout tree on a wooded acreage, or a replacement for the all-too-common and inferior Bradford Pear.
Serviceberry not only has excellent ornamental potential for its early timing and beauty, but is an important food for insect and avian life as well. Its flowers provide a nectar source to hungry moths and butterflies just emerging from the cold of winter, while its leaves are important for several butterfly larvae. The berries are a tasty snack while enjoying nature alone or with friends, and when planted near a window or other highly visible area birds can be observed flocked readily to the ripened berries in late spring and early summer. American Indians and early settlers used serviceberries in breads and pastries.
Rosaceae (Rose)
Serviceberry is most commonly a lovely multi-trunked small tree similar in habit to Crapemyrtle. Occasionally, the plant will become a single-trunked specimen and can be so trained in the landscape. They can be identified by their smooth, gray bark as well as the leaves, which when emerging are downy on the underside. The leaves are 2”-4” long, alternate and serrated, lime-colored, and emerge soon after the five-petaled white flowers. The 1/3” edible red fruits (technically pomes) ripen in early summer. Fall color is yellow to apricot to mauve.
15 to 25 feet tall
Older plants become understory trees with time, while younger plants are shrub-sized.
Moderate
Grows in sun or shade
Grows best in well drained soils and rarely needs pruning
Serviceberry is a wonderful, multi-season garden plant. As one of the earliest spring bloomers, this tree truly stands out much in the manner of the more commonly utilized Dogwood with clusters of star-shaped white flowers. While each individual flower is inconspicuous, the effect of an entire plant – or several – in bloom makes a strong statement and heralds the coming of spring. The fall color is a kaleidoscope of hues with few rivals.
Serviceberry makes an excellent understory tree and accents the larger centerpieces of the landscape; its early blooms add visual interest during spring until the fruit display takes center stage.
Serviceberry blooms at a time of the year when many other plants are either still lying dormant or preparing to flower. This provides well-timed and well-needed nectar sources for butterflies such as the Striped Hairstreak and Coral Hairstreak that return later to lay their eggs on the emerging leaves.
The sweet fruits are important to many species of birds such as bluebirds, orioles, the yellow-shafted flicker, scarlet tanager, hermit thrush, eastern kingbird, downy woodpecker, and chickadee, as well as many species of small mammals.
Open rocky woods, rocky wooded slopes, and other well-drained soils.
Stratified seeds and cuttings
Also known as Shadbush, Junebush, Downy Serviceberry
Written by
Kevin Tarner,
Georgia Wildlife Federation
Photos courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden Plantfinder
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