Lamarcki Serviceberry; Juneberry
 

Mature Size, Growth, Longevity

Average mature size of 15-25' tall and 15-25' wide. Often grown as a multi stemmed tree, but can be trained to a single stem. Slow to medium growth rate, 9-10' in a 5-8 year period.

Native Range

Hybrid between A. arborea x A. laevis.

Flower and Fruit Details

Flowers are showy, 5-petaled, slightly, fragrant, white, appear in abundant drooping clusters in early spring (March-April) before the leaves. Fruits are small, round, edible berries. Starting green, changing to red, ripening to dark purplish-black over 3-4 weeks in June, resembling blueberries, 0.25-0.33" diameter. Slightly sweet and are often used in jams, jellies, and pies. Birds love them.

Leaf and Bark Features

Leaves emerge bronze-purple in spring, mature to dark green, and turn red-orange in fall. Fall color is variable: yellow-orange to brilliant red-orange to red. Bark is grayish, smooth but streaked with longitudinal fissures, often with a reddish cast, very ornamental; in extreme age becomes ridged, furrowed, and scaly; typically grown as a multi-stemmed shrub.

Culture and Care

Prefers moist, well-drained, acid soil in full sun or part shade. Tolerates wet soils and pH 4-8, but not tolerant of pollution or high-stress conditions. Rarely requires pruning. Root suckers are common, and can result in a shruby habit. Zones 4-9. Susceptible to rust, leaf spot, powdery mildew, and canker are occasional pests. Newer cultivars are generally free of any serious insects and diseases.

Strengths, Weaknesses, Other Facts

Hardy to -35 F.

Suggested Uses

Very pleasing used in a naturalistic planting, blends in well on the edges of woodlands, near ponds and stream-banks; blends into shrub borders especially with evergreen background.

Taxa and Plants of this Species at BCA