Serviceberry - Shadblow

The Serviceberry is a shrubby tree native to the Eastern Seaboard It grows anywhere in full sun and moist to boggy soil.

It is a shrubby tree that can be left alone to grow into a suckering shrub or pruned to a multi or single stemmed tree. It has an interesting silver striped bark that is displayed when the plant is pruned into a small tree.

Before its leaves even begin to appear, its 5-petaled clusters of white flowers held in erect racemes about 2" long. These will stand in sharp contrast to the browns and greys of your transitioning landscape in early March.

The 3-inch dark green leaves fill out your tree, softly fuzzy at first and later glossy and smooth. Those same leaves will turn a delightful golden in the fall.

You'll enjoy watching the flowers give way to the small green berries as they progress from green to red, and eventually transform into a deep purple-black. Serviceberries, also called Juneberries, look like large, dark blueberries and taste similar, but with an almond-like accent. The dark gems are ready to enjoy straight from the bush or used in various jams and pies.