Serviceberry Trees in North Carolina

Several species of serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) grow wild in North Carolina landscapes, and a number of improved ornamental varieties are commonly grown in home gardens. Depending on the variety, serviceberries can be grown in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 9. Besides their ornamental qualities, they produce a fruit similar to blueberries that is enjoyed by both humans and wildlife.

Three species of serviceberry are found in North Carolina habitats and grow as large shrubs or small trees from 15 to 25 feet tall. Their white flowers appear on bare branches in early spring and resemble apple blossoms, to which they are related. The fruit ripens in early summer and is purplish black, averaging about 1/2 inch in diameter. Serviceberry leaves are oval with a pointed tip and turn brilliant shades of yellow, orange or red in autumn, depending on the variety.

The Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) and Downy serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) are differentiated only by the fine fuzz on the leaves of the latter species and grow abundantly on dry ridges in the mountains of western North Carolina. The Shadbush serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) grows in moist, lowland parts of the state and is slightly smaller in stature. The wild species make good garden plants on their own, but numerous hybrids and cultivars have been bred for fruit size, fall foliage, disease resistance and other qualities important to the home gardener.

Serviceberries appreciate deep, rich soil with good drainage. They tolerate the acidic soil conditions common in most North Carolina landscapes, but alkaline soils are not suitable unless amended to lower the pH. Typical rainfall patterns in the state are perfect for serviceberry, and established plants can tolerate extended dry periods, although new plantings will show stress if not watered weekly. Serviceberries are susceptible to many of the pests and diseases that afflict pears and apples in North Carolina, including fireblight and leaf spot.

Serviceberries are useful for edible landscapes and native plant gardens, providing food and habitat for many native insects, birds and animals. They are ideal landscape plants in the Appalachian mountains, where they can be used as an understory tree in woodland gardens with ferns, trilliums and other mountain wildflowers. They are also perfectly adapted to the North Carolina Piedmont, commonly used as individual specimen trees and performing well in the high heat and humidity. In the coastal plain, they struggle in low, swampy areas and are not suitable for use directly on the coast, but they can still be grown in typical garden conditions.