Abstract

CUMBERLY, B. and E.R. HASSELKUS. 1987. Trees and shrubs with year-round enchantment. Am. Nurseryman 165(9): 111-112, 116-117.

No group of hardy plants possesses more versatility and seasonal interest than Amelanchier (serviceberry). These woody plants range in form from modest shrubs to specimen trees. The low maintenance plants are suitable for both formal and naturalistic landscapes. Verifying individual Amelanchier species is extremely difficult. In the wild, species intermingle to form puzzling hybrids. To compound the problem, the nursery industry has a history of labeling all species Amelanchier canadensis. The common serviceberries in eastern North America are A. arborea (downy serviceberry), A. canadensis (shadblow serviceberry), A. x grandiflora (apple serviceberry) and A. laevis (Allegheny serviceberry). You can identify these four by looking at them in spring while they are flowering.

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