Dwarf Serviceberry
Amelanchier alnifolia var. pumila
- Native to:
- United States
GBIF: Brandon Corder
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Amelanchier
- Species:
- Amelanchier alnifolia var. pumila
- USDA Symbol:
- AMPU5
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acerra normalis, Acronicta perdita, Agrochola pulchella, American Swordgrass Moth (Xylena nupera), Ancylis apicana, Ancylis fuscociliana, Aristotelia amelanchierella, Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris), Blinded Sphinx (Paonias excaecata), Ceanothus Silkmoth (Hyalophora euryalus), Ceranemota fasciata, cymatophoroides false owlet moth (Pseudothyatira cymatophoroides), Dark-spotted Palthis (Palthis angulalis), Dimorphic Euchlaena Moth (Euchlaena mollisaria), dimorphic pinion (Lithophane patefacta), Egira hiemalis, Elegant Sheep Moth (Hemileuca eglanterina), false pinion (Litholomia napaea), Filatima frugalis, Forest Tent Caterpillar (Malacosoma disstria), Forked Euchlaena Moth (Euchlaena tigrinaria), four-banded leafroller (Argyrotaenia quadrifasciana), fragile dagger moth (Acronicta fragilis), friendly probole (Probole amicaria), gray swordgrass (Xylena cineritia), Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), hibiscus Quaker (Orthosia hibisci), Hyppa xylinoides, large looper moth (Autographa ampla), Lesser Peachtree Borer (Grapholita prunivora), Linden looper (Erannis tiliaria), Lycia rachelae, Mesothea incertata, Morning-glory prominent moth (Schizura ipomoeae), mottled gray carpet moth (Cladara limitaria), Pale beauty (Campaea perlata), Pale Oligocentria (Oligocentria pallida), Parornix alta, Peppered Moth (Biston betularia), Polia detracta, Pseudorthodes irrorata, Purple Arches (Agrochola purpurea), Radcliffe's dagger moth (Acronicta radcliffei), Red-washed Prominent (Oligocentria semirufescens), Rusty Tussock Moth (Orgyia antiqua), Setagrotis pallidicollis, Spilosoma pteridis, Spotted Tussock Moth (Lophocampa maculata), Stigmella taeniola, Syngrapha epigaea, Three-spotted sallow (Eupsilia tristigmata), Unicorn caterpillar moth (Schizura unicornis), Variegated cutworm (Peridroma saucia), Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californica), western winter moth (Operophtera occidentalis), white triangle tortrix (Clepsis persicana), White-dotted Prominent (Nadata gibbosa), California hairstreak (Satyrium californicum), Pale Swallowtail (Papilio eurymedon), Weidemeyer's Admiral (Basilarchia weidemeyerii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, bees, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- red, orange, yellow
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire. Fire may stimulate flowering and fruiting in subsequent seasons.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- prefers open, sunny locations
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds may show erratic germination even after stratification. Fresh seed germinates better than stored seed. Light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).; then Cold-moist stratification for 60 days.
Source: Claude AI