Amelanchier Lamarckii 10L bush

Description

Amelanchier lamarckii – snowy mespilus (bush)

Botanical name: Amelanchier lamarckii
Common names: Snowy mespilus, juneberry, serviceberry
Family: Rosaceae (rose family)
Plant type: Deciduous large shrub or small tree
Habit: Upright, spreading, multi-stemmed
Pot size: 10 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 4–6m tall × 3–4m spread over time
Foliage: Young leaves emerge coppery-pink in spring, mature to green, then turn brilliant orange and red in autumn; deciduous
Flowers: Masses of starry white flowers in spring (April), followed by small dark red to purple-black berries in summer
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, fertile; prefers neutral to acid; dislikes shallow chalk; any pH otherwise
Hardiness: RHS H6 (hardy, to about −20°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Sheltered or exposed; tolerant
Native range: Long cultivated; of North American origin
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic; the berries are harmless and are a favourite food of birds

Amelanchier lamarckii, snowy mespilus, is a superb multi-season shrub with coppery spring foliage, masses of starry white spring flowers, summer berries loved by birds, and brilliant orange-red autumn colour. Beautiful and easy.

GardenAdvice notes

One of the finest of all garden shrubs for year-round interest, snowy mespilus offers something in every season: coppery-pink young leaves and a cloud of starry white blossom in spring, small dark berries loved by birds in summer, and spectacular orange and red autumn colour. Elegant, hardy and easy, it makes a lovely specimen or informal large shrub, and is one of the best small trees for a modest garden.

Growing & planting

Plant in autumn or spring in moist but well-drained, fertile soil in full sun to partial shade. It prefers neutral to acid soil and dislikes shallow chalk, but is otherwise easy and adaptable. It makes a fine specimen with room to develop its graceful shape. Water well while establishing.

Care & maintenance

Very low-maintenance. It needs little or no pruning — simply remove any dead, damaged or crossing branches in winter to maintain a good shape, and thin congested growth if needed. It naturally forms an elegant multi-stemmed shrub or small tree. Feed and mulch in spring.

Propagation

• Cuttings: Difficult from cuttings; usually propagated by grafting or from seed by specialists.
• Seed: Can be raised from ripe seed, though this is slow and seedlings vary.
• Suckers: Rooted suckers can sometimes be detached and grown on.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free and healthy, one of the most reliable and problem-free garden shrubs. Occasionally affected by the same fungal issues as other rose-family plants, but rarely troubled.

Uses in the garden

Superb as a specimen shrub or small multi-stemmed tree in a lawn, border or woodland-edge planting, in wildlife gardens, and in smaller gardens where its modest size and four seasons of interest are ideal.

Wildlife value

Excellent for wildlife: the spring flowers provide nectar for bees and pollinators, and the summer berries are a hugely popular food source for blackbirds, thrushes and many other birds.

Toxicity & safety

Snowy mespilus is generally regarded as non-toxic; its berries are harmless and much loved by birds.

GardenAdvice tip

Amelanchier is one of the best value shrubs you can plant — coppery spring leaves, a haze of white blossom, berries for the birds, and fiery autumn colour, all on an elegant, easy, well-behaved plant. It barely needs pruning; just give it room to form its naturally graceful multi-stemmed shape, and enjoy a different show in every season. It’s happiest on neutral to acid soil, so avoid shallow chalk.

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