Amelanchier x grandiflora
Rehder
Apple serviceberry
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) lionel_coquelet, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) lionel_coquelet, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Isis Khalil, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaA deciduous shrub reaching 6m tall and 4m wide with slow growth. Hardy to UK zone 4 and USDA zones 4-9. Flowers appear in April with hermaphrodite blooms pollinated by bees. Fruit ripens June to July. Self-fertile and adaptable to light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with mildly acid to neutral pH. Tolerates semi-shade in light woodland or full sun, preferring consistently moist conditions.
Description
A shrub to 6 m tall and 4 m wide. The fruit is 10 mm across. There are some named cultivars
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
The fruit is edible raw or cooked — sweet and succulent with an apple-like flavour. It can also be dried for later use. The berries reach up to 10mm in diameter and are rich in iron and copper.
Traditional Uses
The fruit are eaten raw or cooked. They are dried, used in pies and desserts, canned, forzen and made into wine.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
None known.
Distribution
It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.
Where It Grows
Britain, Europe, North America, USA,
Cultivation
Prefers a rich loamy soil in a sunny position or semi-shade but thrives in any soil that is not too dry or water-logged. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers an acid or neutral soil. Plants are hardy to about -25°c. This species does not produce suckers. All members of this genus have edible fruits and, whilst this is dry and uninteresting in some species, in many others it is sweet and juicy. Many of the species have potential for use in the garden as edible ornamentals. The main draw-back to this genus is that birds adore the fruit and will often completely strip a tree before it is fully ripe. This species is occasionally cultivated for its edible fruits, there are some named varieties. The fruit is freely produced in Britain. Considerable confusion has existed between this species, A. arborea, A. canadensis, A. lamarckii and A. laevis, see for the latest (1991) classification. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Grafting onto seedlings of A. lamarckii or Sorbus aucuparia is sometimes practised in order to avoid the potential problem of hybridizing.
Propagation
Seed is best harvested green, when fully formed but before the seed coat has hardened, then sown immediately in pots outdoors or in a cold frame. Stored seed obtained early in autumn can be given 4 weeks of warm stratification before being left out over winter, and should germinate in spring. Otherwise germination can be very slow, potentially taking 18 months or more. When seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and grow on in a sheltered outdoor position, planting out once they reach 20cm or more. Where seed is plentiful, sow thinly in an outdoor seedbed and grow on for two years before moving to permanent positions during winter. Layering in spring takes around 18 months. Suckers can be divided in late winter, but they need to have been growing for 2 years beforehand to have developed roots. Once rooted, they can be planted directly into permanent positions.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are about 25-30 Amelanchier species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Amelanchier × lamarckii
References (2)
- Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 92
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/.
