Common Serviceberry
Amelanchier arborea
- Native to:
- Canada, United States, Virgin Islands
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Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Amelanchier
- Species:
- Amelanchier arborea
- USDA Symbol:
- AMAR3
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white
- Food Forest:
- Contains edible parts
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
- Hummingbirds:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented hummingbird visits (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Bethune's Pinion (Lithophane bethunei), Peach tree borer (Synanthedon exitiosa), Three-spotted sallow (Eupsilia tristigmata), Tischeria amelanchieris, wheatear sallow (Lithophane fagina), White-dotted Prominent (Nadata gibbosa)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Fall Color:
- yellow, orange, red
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers forest edges and open woodlands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–60 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 60-90 days to break dormancy.
Pre-treatment: Seed embryo dormancy is overcome by cold, moist stratification. Seed is sown in outdoor beds in the fall after cleaning to allow for natural stratification.
Establishment: Seeds are collected soon after ripening (between May 22 and June 27 in Cumberland Gap.) Collectors must compete with wildlife which will devour fruits as soon as they ripen. The plant is generally distributed in dry rocky upland woods, Maine and New Brunswick and s. Quebec to sw. Ontario and Minnesota, s. to Georgia, nw. Florida, Louisiana and e. Oklahoma.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Native Plants Nursery (nursery)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)