Amelanchier canadensis

Amelanchier canadensis Grove (15/08/2105, Kew Gardens, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 8m

Eventual Spread: 3m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

Family: Rosaceae

Amelanchier canadensis is a deciduous shrub or small tree with an upright open habit, often with multi stems. Its mid green leaves are ovate with serrulate margins, up to 6.5cm long and 4cm broad. Its leaves turn orange/ red in autumn before they fall. Its silver/ grey bark is smooth. Its white flowers are star shaped and are arranged in loose racemes which are up to 6cm long and appear terminally. Its fruit is a pome, initially green, becoming dark purple when mature and up to 1cm across. Its roots may produce suckers.

Amelanchier canadensis Leaf (15/08/2105, Kew Gardens, London)

Amelanchier canadensis, commonly known as the Canadian Serviceberry, Chuchkberry, Juneberry or Serviceberry, is native to east North America, including east Canada and east USA.

The etymological root of the binomial name Amelanchier is from French Provencal name ‘Amelancier’, an old name for Amelanchier ovalis. Canadensis is derived from the Latin meaning ‘from Canada’.

The landscape architect may find Amelanchier canadensis useful as a small specimen tree with attractive spring flowers, particularly in a partially shaded site. It may also be planted as a hedging species.

Amelanchier canadensis Bark (15/08/2105, Kew Gardens, London)

Ecologically,  Amelanchier canadensis flowers are attractive to pollinating insects. Its fruit are attractive to birds and mammals. 

Amelanchier canadensis prefers moist to wet, humus rich, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid to neutral pH of soil. It dislikes dry soils.

Amelanchier canadensis requires little maintenance. Any necessary pruning or hedge maintenance should be carried out after flowering.



Landscape Architecture

Amelanchier lamarckii

Amelanchier lamarckii (07/04/2012, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 12m

Eventual Spread: 8m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Rosaceae

Amelanchier lamarckii is a large erect deciduous shrub or small tree with an open habit, often being multi stemmed Its leaves are opposite, elliptic, serrulate and are up to 8cm long. These emerge bronze/ pink, becoming yellow/ green in for the summer months, turning orange/ red/ crimson before leaf drop. Its branches are erect and its silver/ grey  bark is smooth. Its white flowers are star shaped, five petaled and are arranged in racemes, in lax conical heads. Its fruit follow the flowers in the form of a pome, initially red in mid summer, becoming purple/ black when mature. These are edible.

Amelanchier lamarckii Flower (07/04/2012, London)

Amelanchier lamarckii, commonly known as the Snowy Mespilus or Juneberry, is native to eastern Canada and north east USA. This species is believed to be a hybrid and should technically be know as Amelanchier x lamarckii. This tree has naturalised over much of western Europe.

The etymological root of the binomial name Amelanchier is from French Provencal name ‘Amelancier’, an old name for Amelanchier ovalis. Lamarckii is named after Jean Baptiste de Monet Lamarck, a 19th century French naturalist and author.

The landscape architect may find Amelanchier lamarckii useful as an attractive small specimen tree, particularly in a partially shaded site. This plant has a habit of suckering and is not suitable as a street tree. It may also be planted as a informal hedge.

Amelanchier lamarckii Leaf (07/04/2012, London)

Ecologically, Amelanchier lamarckii is attractive to pollinating insects and to birds, which consume its fruits. 

The Royal Horticultural Society has given Amelanchier lamarckii their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.

Amelanchier lamarckii prefers moist, humus rich, well-drained soils. It prefers an acid to neutral pH of soil.

Amelanchier lamarckii requires little maintenance.

Amelanchier lamarckii Stem (07/04/2012, London)