About
Amelanchier laevis is a small, deciduous tree that typically reaches heights of about 8 meters. It has a broad, spreading form and features oval leaves that exhibit pink and bronze hues in their youth, transitioning to shades of orange and red in the fall. In spring, as the foliage begins to emerge, clusters of fragrant white flowers dangle from the branches. These are succeeded by edible berries that ripen to a blue-black color.
About the genus
Amelanchier comprises small deciduous trees or shrubs that produce prominent white blossoms in early spring. These plants bear red to purple fruits and often exhibit appealing foliage in autumn.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees, Fruit Edible
- Habit
- Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 4-8 metres
- Spread
- 4-8 metres
- Time to full height
- 10-20 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- Native to
- N America
- Fragrance
- Flower
- Toxicity
- The berries are edible, but this tree is usually grown as an ornamental plant rather than to provide a crop of fruit in the UK
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist, well-drained, lime-free soil; will grow in sun or partial shade but autumn colours are stronger in full sun
- Pruning
- Minimal pruning required; see pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed or by semi-hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to fireblight