Western Serviceberry is a prized addition to any native plants garden. The spring bloom is welcome addition when there are few other flowering trees. Also known as Saskatoon serviceberry. This is a woody shrub with an erect to spreading form. It often grows to height of 12’ with an equal width. Leaves are arranged in an alternate fashion. They are simple, 1”-3” in length and have an oval to oblong shape. During the summer the leaves are green while in the fall they can turn a very pleasing red to yellow color.
White fragrant flowers, arranged in racemes (3-20 per cluster), appear from April through July. Flowers morph to ½” bluish-purple, juicy edible berries which ripen in early summer. The versatile fruit may be used fresh or dried, cooked or raw. It was a common food source among Native Americans, who used the berries as a component of mincemeat. The berries are popular with wildlife.
Serviceberry blossoms are attractive to bees and butterflies.
Open woods to canyons to hillsides, from sea level to subalpine elevations. It can grow in full sun to partial shade. As for site conditions, it prefers a moist, well-drained soil but tolerates a wide range of conditions.
Size: #5
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