Amelanchier alnifolia 'Northline' (F)
alder-leaved serviceberry 'Northline'
A medium to large suckering, deciduous and upright shrub or small tree, this is a cultivar of the alder-leaved Amelanchier grown for its generous crop of fruits. Bronze-tinged young leaves that are oval or circular in shape turn mid to dark-green in summer, and then orange-red and pink-purple in autumn. Five petalled self-fertile white flowers in spring about 2-3cm across appear as the leaves unfurl and expand. The fruits when fully ripe are smallish blue-purple-black berries about 10mm in diameter and closely resemble large blueberries, and are often eaten by birds and squirrels, and can be made into jams and pies.
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Acid, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Bronze | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green | |||
| Autumn | Red Pink Orange | |||
| Winter |
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 the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Suckering, 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
Grow in well-drained, acid to neutral soil and ideally in full sun. Tolerates partial shade but autumn colour is best in sun.
Propagation
Propagate by softwood cuttings or semi-ripe cuttings in summer or layering.
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Architectural
- City and courtyard gardens
- Wildlife gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Coastal
- Low Maintenance
- Hedging and screens
- 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
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.