Amelanchier alnifolia, commonly known as serviceberry, offers multi-season interest and is worthy of a place in every garden. This beautiful shrub has blue-green foliage, delicate, white flower clusters in spring, followed by sweet purple berries and brilliant red, orange, yellow and purple fall leaf color. Adaptable to many habitats, serviceberry can be found on sunny, dry, rocky slopes, open prairies, along streambeds and at woodland edges. Its form is also adaptable, depending on the habitat; ranging from 10' thickets at woodland edges to small single-trunked trees in more open circumstances.

Bees and butterflies visit the flowers in spring and birds, small mammals and deer eat the berries. Deer also browse the foliage. In its thicket form, serviceberry offers important bird habitat. Serviceberry makes a wonderful addition to a hedgerow planted with a mixture of native trees and shrubs.

Species of Amelanchier grow throughout the US and Canada (where it is called Saskatoon Berry and grown commercially). Our largest specimen of serviceberry is found planted along the fence near the south entrance to the garden.

Native Americans prized the berries, both fresh and dried, used the bark medicinally and used the tough wood to make small implements.