Amelanchier arborea
tree amelanchier
A medium to large deciduous upright tree with smooth greyish bark and a tendency to sucker. The leaves when young are bronze and downy on their undersides as they first emerge in spring, and are oval in shape and approximately 4-8cm long, with pointed tips and serrated margins. Mid to dark-green in colour in summer, and then yellow, orange, red in autumn. Clusters of hanging self-fertile five-petalled white flowers on stalks emerge in spring as the young leaves unfurl and expand. The edible red-purple fruits darken as they ripen to blue-black and are enjoyed by wildlife
Size
Ultimate height
8–12 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
4–8 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Grey Silver | White | Green Bronze | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Grey Silver | Green | Green Red Purple | |
| Autumn | Grey Silver | Yellow Red | Black Blue Purple | |
| Winter | Grey Silver | Black Blue Purple |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Columnar upright, Suckering
- Potentially harmful
- The berries are edible, but this tree is usually grown as an ornamental plant rather than to provide a crop of fruit in the UK
- Genus
Amelanchier are small deciduous trees or shrubs with showy white flowers in early spring, red to purple fruits and often good autumn colour
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- E North America
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in moist, lime-free, well-drained soil. The best autumn colour is achieved when grown in full sun.
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings or remove suckers in winter.
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Banks and slopes
- Edible fruit
Pruning
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to fireblight. In dry soil conditions or strong winds, may be susceptible to leaf scorch.
Get involved
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