PlantFiles: Shadblow Service Berry, Downy Serviceberry, Canadian Serviceberry
Amelanchier canadensis

We find this tree grows well in heavy clay as well. I do top dress with compost but the nursery said not to amend the soil when planting so it can learn to live in the place it's planted, it took a few years to get established but now it's beautiful. And why it's called Serviceberry? Graves couldn't be dug in the winter so when this tree bloomed it signaled that the graves could be dug, the Funeral "service" was delayed until the spring, hence the name "Service Berry".

I have been looking for this plant ever since a Canadian friend of mine gave me a pot of Saskatoon Berry Jam. When I saw Shadblow Service Berry in the newsletter I had to check it out because it is such a strange name, and I was so happy to see that this IS the Saskatoon Berry! I don't really care for sweet foods but this stuff is delicious, rates right up there with Mullberries in my book. I hope it will do well in my northern european garden, cause I am going to purchase the seeds immediately.

anyone know why this underrated fruit it is called a 'service' berry?

We have three Serviceberries planted five years ago. One multi stemmed tree was badly damaged by rubbing deer the first fall but is slowly recovering now that it is protected by early fall. This is the first year I have not (yet) experienced rust, probably because I treated all with "Serenade" several times last year and was diligent about removing infected berries and leaves. My biggest problem has been tackling the aphids which seem to return every year. I have used ladybugs, water spray and organic control. It is a lovely small tree but on my property requires attention.

This is an excellent shrub. I planted three as understory in my front yard to provide some privacy from the road. The have just enough foliage to provide privacy without creating a barricade. They have bloomed beautifully. The location has well amended soil and has fairly consistent moisture.

This native shrub/tree works well in most situations. However, the more extreme hot temperatures of Illinois summers require proper placement of this tree. An exposed, dry site should be avoided. Dappled shade and moist soil make for a happier plant. I had to relocate mine after it struggled for over a year and a half. Watering helped but it never seemed to do enough. The new location was less exposed to direct sun and the tree responded positively. It stopped losing leaves and started to branch out.

A wonderful small tree or shrub. I would recommend this group of natives to any gardener. Birds flock to the ripening berries in June (southeast Michigan). Orioles, Catbirds, Robins, Tanagers, Eastern Bluebirds, just to name a few. If you can beat the birds to the berries they make a good tasting, somewhat chewy, pie filling. These small trees and shrubs sucker - it is their nature - and the resulting shape is very attractive. Trimming off excessive suckers will not harm the tree. However, do allow Serviceberry to have several main trunks - it is not meant to look like an oak. Dainty white flowers cover the tree early in spring. The small ovate leaves turn a gorgeous apricot color in fall and never require raking. Simply run your mower over them and mulch them into lawn food.
These tough natives are literally trouble-free - they easily endure -40 degree winters here in Michigan and seem to do well in direct sun as well as in the shade of large trees. I notice landscapers are catching on to their trememdous value in the garden. It is easier to find several varieties at nurseries these days. Just plant them away from your car - all those delicious berries and all those hungry birds add up to target practice.

This is very worthy of growing, despite its suckering tendencies. The flowering and later fruiting are attractive to wildlife. Serviceberries are edible to humans, too, and make wonderful fruit compotes and preserves.