General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerant of a somewhat wide range of soils.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Shadblow serviceberry is a deciduous, early-flowering, large shrub or small tree which typically grows 15-30' tall. Features showy, 5-petaled, slightly fragrant, white flowers in drooping clusters which appear before the leaves emerge in early spring. Finely toothed, elliptic, medium to dark green leaves (1-3" long) change to orange-red in autumn. Flowers give way to small, round, green berries which turn red and finally mature to a dark purplish-black in early summer. Edible berries resemble blueberries in size and color and are used in jams, jellies and pies.
Problems: Click for detailed list of pests and problems.
No serious insect or disease problems. Rust, leaf spot, blight and powdery mildew are sometime disease problems, and sawfly, leaf miner, borers and scale are sometime insect pests.
Uses:
Best in woodland, naturalized or native plant gardens, especially with dark or shaded backdrops which tend to highlight the form, flowers and fall color of the plant. Also effective along stream banks and ponds.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
More photos:
(4 ratings) --- 
