Amelanchier ovalis 'Helvetia'
snowy mespilus 'Helvetia'
A compact shrub or small tree, up to around 1.5m high, with a bushy, upright habit. Leaves are broadly oval, almost rounded, and woolly white when young, maturing to grey-green and turning orange and red in autumn. Upright clusters of white flowers are produced in spring, followed later by edible red berries that mature to blue-black
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metresTime to ultimate height
5–10 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Green White | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Autumn | Green Red Orange | Red Blue Black | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Rosaceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- 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
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Thrives in moist, well-drained, preferably neutral or acidic soil; will grow in sun or partial shade but autumn colour will be brightest in full sun. This species will tolerate drier conditions and less acidic soils than many others
Propagation
Propagate by semi-hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Wildlife gardens
- Low Maintenance
- Flower borders and beds
- Edible fruit
Pruning
Minimal pruning required; see pruning group 1
Pests
Generally pest-free
Diseases
May be susceptible to fireblight
Get involved
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