Amelanchier x grandiflora 'Autumn Brilliance'
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Tried and True Recommended by 11 Professionals
Common Name: apple serviceberry
Type: Tree
Family: Rosaceae
Zone: 4 to 9
Garden Location: Lang Family Bird Garden
Height: 15 to 25 feet
Spread: 15 to 25 feet
Bloom Time: April
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers
Leaves: Good Fall Color
Fruit: Showy Fruit, Edible Fruit
Wildlife: Attracts Birds
Uses: Flowering Tree

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Tolerant of a somewhat wide range of soils. Root suckers are common, and if not removed, will result in a shrubby growth habit for the plant.

Noteworthy Characteristics

This hybrid apple serviceberry cultivar is a deciduous, early-flowering large shrub or small tree which typically grows 15-25' tall. Features 5-petaled, showy, slightly fragrant, white flowers in drooping clusters (racemes) which appear before the leaves emerge in early spring. Finely toothed, obovate, bluish green leaves (2-5" long) change to brilliant orange-red in autumn (hence the cultivar name). Flowers give way to small, round green berries which turn red and finally mature to a dark purplish black in early summer. Edible berries are sweet, resembling blueberries in size and color, and are often used in jams, jellies and pies. Amelanchiers are also often commonly called Juneberries. Amelanchier x grandiflora is a cross between A. arborea and A. laevis.

Plant of Merit

A large multi-stemmed shrub or small tree to 15-25 feet tall. Showy white flowers in spring, edible purplish-black berries in June, clean blue-green leaves in summer and brilliant orange-red fall color make this an attractive addition to any landscape. Fruit is tasty, fresh from the plant, but the birds often get there first. Deserves a prominent position in the landscape to showcase its multi-season ornamental interest.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. This cultivar reportedly has excellent disease resistance.

Garden Uses

Best in shrub borders or as a small ornamental tree. Also effective in woodland or naturalized areas, particularly with dark or shaded backdrops which tend to highlight the form, flowers and fall color of the plant. Also effective along stream banks and ponds.

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