Great Plants for Northern Gardens: Serviceberry
Serviceberry (Amelanchier) is a very hardy Minnesota-native plant that can be grown as a large shrub or a small tree. Sometimes called juneberry, this is one of the great plants for northern gardens because it requires little care, is highly adaptable and provides structure and three-season interest to the garden.
There are several types of serviceberry native to our region and some of them have been hybridized to create wonderful garden plants. Allegheny serviceberry (Amelanchier laevis) is common in northern Minnesota. It has a narrow form and grows more than 25 feet tall. Another species serviceberry is shadblow serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis), which is generally shorter (10 to 15 feet) and wider (10 feet across) than Allegheny serviceberry. Both plants offer interesting structure and bright fall color.
Apple serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandifolia) is a popular species that includes several named varieties. These all grow 15 to 25 feet tall and can be pruned to either multi-stemmed shrubs or small trees. ‘Autumn Brilliance’ gets its name from its bright red fall foliage. Other cultivars include ‘Princess Diana’ and ‘Cole’s Select’ serviceberry.
In addition to fall color, serviceberries generally have a sweet white flower in spring and — as the name suggests — a bluish red berry in late summer through winter. The berries are edible, but they are especially prized by birds, including American goldfinches, brown thrashers and bluejays.
If you do not have room for a full-size serviceberry, you might consider ‘Regent’ (Amelanchier alnifolia ‘Regent’), a 3 to 6 foot tall shrub with the flowers, fall color and the form of serviceberry but in a more diminutive size. These serviceberries are sometimes grown in hedges to great effect.
Serviceberry grows well in full sun to part shade sites in moist, well-drained soil. (Wondering what kind of soil you have? Send a sample to the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Lab.) This popular native plant is available at many Upper Midwest nurseries and garden centers.
Is regent service berry salt tolerate, it would be grown 5 ft above road?
Diane — I’m sorry to report that it is considered a poor choice if salt is an issue. Here’s more info on Regent serviceberry: http://ediblelandscaping.com/products/shrubs/Juneberries/RegentJuneberry.php
When is the best time of year to plant a service berry tree in MN?
Spring is a great time to plant trees — you can also plant in fall. Either will work.
I have big plans to convert my front yard into a food forest, and being it is in a village that has a highway and sidewalks, it is important that it look good! I have some trees started which sit back about ten feet from the sidewalk–three paw paw “sticks”, an Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry and a Stewartia. My plan is to plant Regent serviceberries as a hedge in front of those trees and about four feet from the sidewalk. My question is will it become too tall? I’m reading that the range is from four to six feet in height. I do plan to have a break in the hedge of about six feet where I’ll have a round topped arbor/trellis, but I want it to be friendly looking and not like I’m trying to keep people out. Behind the hedge, I’ll plant a variety of trees and shrubs: medlar, quince, mulberry, currants, strawberries, honeyberries…I want it to add some privacy, stop the leaves that find my property from the entire neighborhood and encourage birds. I live in 5A Vermont. Does Regent tend to stay closer to four foot or six foot? If it is six foot, would that be a poor choice for the front. I have 112′ of road frontage to cover. It is south facing. Thank you for any advice you can offer. I’ve been looking at pictures and it’s hard to get an idea of scale from what I’ve found.
Hi Barb, Your front yard plans sound fabulous! I am working on a modified version of yours.
How is yours going? I don’t know when you posted your note. Today is 12/19/2023. I am in 4b – Minnesota.