Amelanchier spicata (Dwarf serviceberry)

Botanical name

Amelanchier spicata

Other names

Dwarf serviceberry, Thicket shadbush, Low juneberry, Low serviceberry, Pigeon berry, Amelanchier ovalis, Crataegus spicata

Genus

Amelanchier Amelanchier

Species

A. spicata - A. spicata is an upright, thicket-forming, deciduous shrub with oval to rounded, toothed, mid- to dark green leaves, turning orange, red, or purple in autumn, and, in spring, short racemes of creamy-white flowers followed by small, edible, purple-black fruit.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright, Suckering

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Colour

Flower

Cream, White in Spring

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Yellow, Red, Orange in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific diseases

Fireblight

General care

Propagation

Sow seed before seed coat has hardened in a cold frame in autumn. Divide suckers in winter. Layer in spring. May take up to 18 months to form roots.

Propagation methods

Suckers, Softwood cuttings, Seed, Layering

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Amelanchier spicata (Dwarf serviceberry) will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 2m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Low Maintenance, Hedging/Screens, City, Beds and borders, Wildlife

Cultivation

Grows best in fertile, moist but well-drained, acid soil in full sun. Tolerates a wide range of soil conditions except waterlogged or too dry. Tolerates partial shade but autumn colour is best in sun.

Soil type

Sandy, Loamy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

North, South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Amelanchier spicata (Dwarf serviceberry)

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Amelanchier spicata (Dwarf serviceberry)

Common pest name

Round headed apple tree borer

Scientific pest name

Saperda candida

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

American wood boring beetle; single European incursion into a German Island in the Baltic; limited likelihood of introduction into the UK due to small volume of trade and import inspections. Possible EU listing will limit risk further.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Amelanchier spicata (Dwarf serviceberry)

Common pest name

Cedar-Quince rust; Quince rust; Rust of apple; Rust of juniper; Rust of quince

Scientific pest name

Gymnosporangium clavipes

Type

Fungus

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

EU regulated rust disease which helps mitigate against introduction. A review of EU regulations will help to ensure that all hosts are regulated.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/