Apple serviceberry is a wonderful four-season tree with white flowers in the spring, blue-green leaves that turn red in the fall, blue-black edible berries, and smooth silver-gray bark. Excellent for a woodland garden, naturalized setting, or as a specimen plant in a garden. This tree is a hybrid between two native serviceberries, downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) and Alleghany serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis).
This plant has some cultivated varieties. Go to list of cultivars.
Botanical name:
All Common Names:
Family (English):
Family (Botanic):
Planting Site:
- Residential and parks,
- City parkway,
- Wide median,
- Under utility lines
Tree or Plant Type:
- Tree
Foliage:
- Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
Native Locale:
- Non-native
Landscape Uses:
- Massing,
- Mixed border,
- Patio/sidewalk,
- Specimen
Size Range:
- Small tree (15-25 feet)
Mature Height:
Mature Width:
Light Exposure:
- Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily),
- Partial sun/shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
Hardiness Zones:
- Zone 4,
- Zone 5 (Chicago),
- Zone 6,
- Zone 7,
- Zone 8,
- Zone 9
Soil Preference:
- Acid soil
Tolerances:
- Dry sites,
- Alkaline soil
Acid Soils:
- Tolerant
Alkaline Soils:
- Moderately Tolerant
Salt Spray:
- Tolerant
Soil Salt:
- Intolerant
Drought Conditions:
- Moderately Tolerant
Poor Drainage:
- Intolerant
Ornamental Interest:
- Spring blossoms,
- Fall color,
- Edible fruit,
- Showy fruit,
- Showy flowers,
- Attractive bark
Season of Interest:
- Mid spring,
- Late spring,
- Late summer,
- Early fall,
- Mid fall
Flower Color & Fragrance:
- Fragrant,
- White
Shape or Form:
- Multi-stemmed,
- Round,
- Upright
Growth Rate:
- Moderate
Transplants Well:
- Moderate
Wildlife:
- Birds
More Information:
Tree & Plant Care
Plants are shallow-rooted and benefit from a mulch layer to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures.
Disease, pests and problems
The Apple serviceberry is susceptible to heat and drought stress. Additionally, susceptible to rust and leaf spots.
Disease, pest, and problem resistance
Tolerant of black walnut toxicity.
Native geographic location and habitat
A hybrid between Downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) and Alleghany serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis).
Bark color and texture
Silvery gray, smooth bark develops fissures as it ages.
Leaf or needle arrangement, size, shape, and texture
Simple, alternate, 2-inch long oval to elliptical shaped leaves.
Green leaves turn to yellow and orange in fall.
Flower arrangement, shape and size
Numerous pink-tinged buds open to 5-petaled, white pendulous flowers in the spring.
Fruit, cone, nut, and seed descriptions
The 1/3-inch edible fruit starts out green, changing to red, then blue-black in June.
Cultivars and their differences
Autumn Brilliance apple serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’): 20 to 25 feet high and wide; red fall color.
Cole's Select apple serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Cole's Select’): 20 feet high and 15 feet wide; upright, spreading habit; orange-red fall color; thick, glossy summer foliage.
Forest Prince apple serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Forest Prince’): 20 feet high and 15 feet wide; oval habit and red-orange fall color.
Princess Diana apple serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Princess Diana’): 20 to 25 feet high and 15 to 20 feet wide; upright habit, excellent red fall color.
Robin Hill apple serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Robin Hill’): 20 to 25 feet high and 12 to 15 feet wide ; upright-oval habit, red to yellow fall color.