Amelanchier arborea 'ROBIN HILL' downy serviceberry

Juneberry and downy serviceberry species are popular shrubs and trees that are celebrating their renaissance at the beginning of the new millennium. They belong to both ornamental plants as well as fruit trees which is why they are regaining interest. They are very easy to grow and can cope even with heavy clay without any need for additional fertilizing. Moreover, their root system is so dense that it helps protect soil from erosion.

Robin Hill downy serviceberry was selected at the Robin Hill arboretum before 1970. It is a mid-sized, deciduous tree with oval crown and upright growth. In April it produces numerous star-shaped, white, scented flowers that are followed by are purple-blackish berries in early summer. They are about 1 cm in diameter, sweet and juicy, and can be picked up for as long as one month. They look like blueberries and are valued for high contents of iron and copper. Broadly elliptic leaves are up to 8 cm long, emerge bronze and mature to green colour. They turn golden yellow, fiery orange and red in autumn.

Downy serviceberry is a moderate grower. If you want to keep it smaller and compact, prune it every year at the end of winter. It will grow in almost any but dry soil, however, it prefers fertile and acid, lime-free, moist but well-drained soil. It grows well in heavy clay. Fully hardy to -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 02-01-2013