Amelanchier stolonifera (Running Serviceberry)

Providing multi-season interest, Amelanchier stolonifera (Running Serviceberry) is a deciduous, early-flowering, stoloniferous shrub boasting showy upright clusters of 5-petaled, white flowers in spring, as the leaves are expanding. Attractive to bees and other pollinators, they are followed by abundant, edible, dark purple berries in summer. Resembling blueberries, they are often used in pies and are appreciated by both birds and humans.

Providing multi-season interest, Amelanchier stolonifera (Running Serviceberry) is a deciduous, early-flowering, stoloniferous shrub boasting showy upright clusters of 5-petaled, white flowers in spring, as the leaves are expanding. Attractive to bees and other pollinators, they are followed by abundant, edible, dark purple berries in summer. Resembling blueberries, they are often used in pies and are appreciated by both birds and humans. The foliage of finely toothed, oval to rounded, medium to dark green leaves, 1-3 in. long (2-7 cm), turns to attractive shades of yellow, orange, and red in the fall. Running Serviceberry suckers and spreads to form thickets. It is best in shrub borders, or in woodland, naturalized, or native plant gardens.

  • Grows up to 4-5 ft. tall and wide (120-150 cm)
  • Performs best in full sun to part shade in dry to mesic, acidic, well-drained soils. Best berry production and fall color occur in full sun. Tolerates poor soil and a wide range of soil conditions. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Perfect as a specimen plant, hedges, and screens, or for foundation plantings. Makes an excellent windbreak when planted fairly close together, so the branches can intertwine to form a living fence.
  • No serious pest and disease issues, but keep an eye out for rust, leaf spot, fire blight, powdery mildew, sawfly, leaf miner, borers, and scale.
  • Propagate by seed or by sucker division.
  • Native to eastern North America.

Requirements

Hardiness 4
– 8

Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Amelanchier – Serviceberries
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)Fall
Height 4'
– 5'
(120cm
– 150cm)
Spread 4'
– 5'
(120cm
– 150cm)
Spacing 48″
– 60″
(120cm
– 150cm)
Water Needs Low, Average
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Fruit & Berries
Native Plants United States, Midwest, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Northeast, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Southeast, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia
Tolerance Drought, Dry Soil
Attracts Bees, Birds
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Hedges and Screens
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow