Amelanchier canadensis aka Juneberry

Taxonomy

Amelanchier canadensis, also known as bilberry, Canadian serviceberry, chuckle-berry, currant-tree, juneberry, shad-blow serviceberry, shad-blow, shadbush, shadbush serviceberry, sugarplum, or thicket serviceberry, is a deciduous shrub or small tree that is native to eastern North America. Its range extends from Newfoundland west to southern Ontario in Canada and from Maine south to Alabama in the United States. It grows best in wet sites, particularly on the Atlantic coastal plain, at altitudes from sea level up to 200 m. The plant typically grows 0.5–8 m tall with one to many stems and a narrow, fastigiate crown. Its leaves are alternate, simple, ovate to ovate-oblong, 1–5.5 cm long, and 1.8–2.8 cm broad, with a rounded to sub-acute apex. They are downy below, and have a serrated margin and an 8–15 mm petiole. The plant produces flowers in early spring in loose racemes 4–6 cm long at the ends of the branches. Each raceme has four to ten flowers, each with five white petals 7.6–11 mm long and 2–4 mm broad, and 20 stamens. The fruit is a pome, 7–10 mm in diameter, dark purple when ripe, and edible and sweet. Fruits become ripe in June and July in its native range. Amelanchier canadensis is commonly called shadblow serviceberry and is a deciduous, early-flowering, large shrub or small tree that typically grows 15-30' tall. It features showy, 5-petaled, slightly fragrant, white flowers in drooping clusters which appear before the leaves emerge in early spring. The plant's finely toothed, elliptic, medium to dark green leaves (1-3" long) change to orange-red in autumn. Flowers give way to small, round, green berries which turn red and finally mature to a dark purplish-black in early summer. Edible berries resemble blueberries in size and color and are used in jams, jellies, and pies. Bilberry, a rare houseplant that belongs to the Amelanchier genus, is also known as Amelanchier canadensis. It is native to Eastern North America and is not challenging to grow. The plant needs regular watering to thrive and does best in long-lasting, direct light. It should be less than 1 foot from a window. Bilberry likes soil that is well-draining, and your plant shouldn't need added fertilizers if you repot each time it doubles in size. The genus name comes from a French provincial name for Amelanchier ovalis, a European plant in this genus. The specific epithet means "from Canada," which is part of the native range of this plant.

Common names

Juneberry, Shadbush, Thicket Serviceberry

How to care for Juneberry

Difficulty

Juneberry presents a moderate level of care, which allows plant enthusiasts with some experience to expand their skills and knowledge.

Water

Juneberry should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Juneberry loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Juneberry prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

The growth rate of Juneberry is slow and it doesn't necessitate additional fertilizing. By changing the soil in its pot annually, the plant should be provided with adequate nutrition. It is crucial to keep in mind that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizers.

Growth-pattern

Juneberry grows vertically and new growth emerges from the top of the plant.

Region of origin

Juneberry’s native range is Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Ontario, south to Florida. Naturalized in Britain[17].


More info:
Wikipedia