About
Amelanchier ovalis 'Helvetia' is a small tree or compact shrub that typically reaches a height of about 1.5 meters. It features a bushy, upright growth form. The leaves are broadly oval, nearly rounded, and display a woolly white texture in their youth, transitioning to a grey-green shade as they mature, and eventually showcasing orange and red hues in autumn. In spring, this plant produces upright clusters of white flowers, which are succeeded by edible red 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
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs, Trees, Fruit Edible
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 5-10 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens
- 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
- Thrives in moist, well-drained, preferably neutral or acidic soil; will grow in sun or partial shade but autumn colour will be brightest in full sun. This species will tolerate drier conditions and less acidic soils than many others
- Pruning
- Minimal pruning required; see pruning group 1
- Propagation
- Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to fireblight