About

Amelanchier lamarckii 'Snowberry' is a compact deciduous tree with an upright form and a tendency to spread. Its young foliage emerges in a unique coppery-red hue, providing a vivid backdrop for the pure white flowers that bloom in clusters. Following the flowering period, the tree produces small, purplish-blue fruits that are edible. This species demonstrates remarkable hardiness and is generally low-maintenance, although it prefers deeper, well-drained soils over shallow chalky substrates. Blooming occurs in April, and the tree showcases attractive autumn foliage. When fully grown, it typically reaches a height of around 3 meters.

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, Well-drained

Aspect

East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H7

Plant details

Plant type

Shrubs, Trees, Fruit Edible

Habit

Columnar upright, Suckering

Foliage

Deciduous

Height

2.5-4 metres

Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Time to full height

10-20 years

Suggested uses

City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden

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 well-drained, neutral to acidic soil and ideally in full sun. Tolerates partial shade but autumn colour is best in sun. See tree cultivation for further advice

Pruning

Pruning group 1.

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings or semi-ripe cuttings in summer or layering.

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

May be susceptible to fireblight. In dry soil conditions or strong winds, may be susceptible to leaf scorch.