Serviceberry-Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’

Something to Ponder:

If you are looking for a tree that fits almost anywhere, this is it. The Serviceberry is small in stature, growing to around 20 feet, and at times resembles a shrub more than a tree. In fact, this tree is the choice many times for planting beneath utility lines.

Wherever it is planted, this tree seems to thrive, producing vibrant pink and white flowers in the spring, purple fruit and green leaves in the summer, and an explosion of orange and red in the fall. The fruit can be eaten and tastes a bit sweeter than a blueberry. In fact, if you can beat the birds to the berries, you can make a great jam or pie!

This tree is a great example of God’s goodness to all our senses in his creation. In this one tree you can smell the fragrance of the spring flowers; you can listen to the rustling leaves and the summer birds; you can marvel at the sight of the changing colors; you can touch smooth fruit as it is picked from the rough branches; and finally then, taste the fruit letting the sweet juice pop in your mouth. All in one tree.

Take a moment and use your senses to simply experience this tree and give thanks to a good Creator.

Learn More:

This hybrid is a cross between two species of North American Serviceberry, namely, A. arborea (Downy Serviceberry) and A. laevis (Allegheny Serviceberry). An upright, heavily branched tree, the Autumn Brilliance provides four season interest with its showy flowers, edible fruits, fall color and bark. This a great choice for spaces requiring a smaller stature plant. It grows to about 25 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 20 feet. It has a low canopy with a 20 to 25 ft spread. The foliage emerges bronze-purple and becomes blue green as season progresses, ending in a orange-red fall color. Also known as the Juneberry for its berry-like fruit that tastes similar to a blueberry that ripens in early summer. Fruit is used to make jams and pies.