Amelanchier stolonifera aka Running Serviceberry

Amelanchier stolonifera is a deciduous shrub called running serviceberry. It belongs to the rose family, Rosaceae. Its native range lies in eastern North America. Records include eastern Canada and many eastern United States. In the wild, it grows in dry, open sites. These sites often have acid, rocky or sandy soil.

This shrub sends out suckers and forms dense thickets. Its stems grow upright, making a low, spreading mass. Missouri Botanical Garden gives a height of 3–5 feet [0.9–1.5 metres]. RHS gives mature height and spread of 5–8 feet [1.5–2.5 metres]. Plants may take five to ten years to mature. The leaves are oval, sometimes almost round, with fine teeth. The lower leaf edges lack teeth. White hairs cover young leaves, which turn green as they age. In autumn, they turn shades of yellow, orange and red.

White flowers grow in small clusters during spring. Each flower has five petals, and the clusters droop. Missouri Botanical Garden lists May as the bloom month. Its description also places flowering before the leaves emerge. Small, round fruits follow, changing from green to purple-black. They ripen in summer and resemble blueberries in size. Birds visit the shrub for its fruit. People eat the fruit fresh or cooked, including in pies. Plants For A Future describes a sweet, juicy, apple-like taste. It also reports iron and copper in the fruit.

Grow this shrub in sun or partial shade. Full sun gives the strongest autumn leaf colour. It prefers moist soil that drains well. Acid or neutral soil suits it, including clay, loam and sand. Missouri Botanical Garden rates its water needs as medium. It lists USDA zones 4–8; RHS gives hardiness H7. Use it in shrub borders, wildlife gardens or woodland edges. It also suits hedges, rock gardens and natural planting. Remove unwanted suckers to keep its spread in check. Propagate it from seed, semi-hardwood cuttings or offsets.

RHS reports few pests, but problems can occur. Missouri Botanical Garden lists sawflies, leaf miners, borers and scale. Rust, leaf spot, powdery mildew and fire blight may occur. Plants For A Future records no known hazards. RHS confirms edible berries but also flags possible harm without detail. Neither account establishes that every plant part is safe. Root bark has a recorded use as a tonic.