The serviceberry is a rather rare wild shrub that often occurred as a small fruit plant in gardens in former days. It can reach up to four metres in height, already bears beautiful leaves in summer which turn red in autumn and doesn't shape any thorns although it's rated among the sloes. The lush, white heyday which gives it the name Snowy Mespilus begins in March, before the formation of foliage. The common serviceberry is no longer primarily known as useful wood but often used as a solitaire or hedge for natural gardens as it takes well to cutting.
Many garden owners don't know that the small fruits, which ripen from light red to dark red, purple, or blue, are edible - but as soon as they are fully ripened, the sweet, slightly floury, purple berries can be eaten raw and remind of blueberries in taste. However, they contain small, hard seeds that can lightly disturb the taste when they are eaten raw. They are delicious as jams or for fruit sauces. Dried, they can be used as a raisin substitute in cakes and sweet biscuits, which has given the shrub its name.
Seeds, content: Approx. 30 Serviceberry seeds
Loves sunny to half-shady locations with permeable, moderately moist soil with sand proportion. Doesn't tolerate waterlogging. The serviceberry can, like its name indicates, also root in crevices and is well suitable for bounding hedge planting in stone gardens. The seeds should be exposed to a four-week-long warm phase and, subsequently, set up cold for germination.
Direct sowing in spring or autumn is also possible. Several months may pass until germination.
Also suitable for the cultivation in pots.
Other names
Botanical name: |
Amelanchier ovalis, Amelancus ovalis, Aronia amelanchier, Crataegus amelanchier, Mespilus amelanchier, Sorbus amelanchier |
German names: |
Edelweißstrauch, Gemeine Felsenbirne, Felsenmispel, Fliegenbeerstrauch, Quendelbeere, Rosinenbaum |
English names: |
Snowy Mespilus, Dwarf Garden Serviceberry |