Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Rosaceae family. It grows 3–7 m (10–23 ft) tall and 2.5–5 m (8.2–16 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 3.5 m (11 ft) apart.
Plan Serviceberry in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Serviceberry at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 3–7 m (10–23 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2.5–5 m (8.2–16 ft) |
| Spacing | 3.5 m (11 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 34 °C (93 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: fruit |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Serviceberry toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Ripe berries are edible; no significant toxicity is documented.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Serviceberry
Good neighbours
- good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D
Shared pests and diseases
- Fire blight: Fire blight bacteria are carried by bees and rain between apples, pears, quince, hawthorn, cotoneaster and firethorn. Evidence B
See Serviceberry in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- New York Botanical Garden (2 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (3 plants)
Questions about Serviceberry
- How far apart should I plant Serviceberry?
- About 3.5 m (11 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2.5–5 m (8.2–16 ft).
- Does Serviceberry need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Serviceberry need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Serviceberry?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Serviceberry flower?
- From about April for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Serviceberry poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Ripe berries are edible; no significant toxicity is documented.
- What grows well with Serviceberry?
- Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata
- Pear Pyrus communis