Waterville Area Cultural History Center
Home of the Redington Museum
Heading 6
Serviceberry, shadbush
Amelanchier spp.
Plant Type
Shrub or small tree
Hardiness Zone
4 - 8
Flower Color
Pink to reddish, turning to white
Bloom Period
April through June
Height at Maturity
5 feet to 25 feet
Width at Maturity
4 feet to 15 feet
Sun Requirements
Part shade
Soil Type
Moist
About this species:
The serviceberry may be a shrub or a tree, depending on the species. The leaves are 1 to 3 inches long, toothed and often blunt-tipped. The buds are pink to reddish in color and turning white when fully developed. Small fruits appear in early summer if the flowers are pollinated. These will turn to small purple-dark purple as the fruit ripens. These are edible. The foliage turns vibrant in the fall.
The flowers are droopng white clusters in early spring before the leaves appear. This is where the common name "shadbush" comes from. The plant blossoms when the shad are running up the river.
This plant is beneficial to many birds and animals because of their fruit in the fall. Rabbit, beaver, deer and moose may browse on the twigs.
Key to Label Symbols:
Shelter | Hollow stems, leaves and roots are sources of shelter for wildlife. Insects may make a winter home under dropped leaves. Other animals may make shelters within the roots of the plant. | |
Food Source | Birds and other wildlife use the seeds, berries and leaves for their food source. Leaves may be used to help build nests for birds | |
Nectar Source | Bees, butterflies, birds and some insects use nectar for their food. Pollen is also used by some wildlife. |