Plant Library

Other Names:  Shadblow

Description:

An exceptional introduction with an upright habit that maintains a central leader, ideal for the home landscape as an accent tree; showy white flowers in spring followed by edible berries, brilliant fall color

Ornamental Features

Tradition Serviceberry is covered in stunning clusters of white flowers rising above the foliage in early spring before the leaves. It has grayish green deciduous foliage. The oval leaves turn an outstanding scarlet in the fall. It produces black berries in late spring.

This plant is primarily grown as an ornamental, but it's also valued for its edible qualities. The small round tart berries are most often used in the following ways:

• Cooking
• Preserves

Landscape Attributes

Tradition Serviceberry is a dense deciduous tree with a shapely oval form. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance tree, and should not require much pruning, except when necessary, such as to remove dieback. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Tradition Serviceberry is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Accent
• Vertical Accent
• Hedges/Screening

Planting & Growing

Tradition Serviceberry will grow to be about 30 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 30 feet. It has a low canopy with a typical clearance of 3 feet from the ground, and should not be planted underneath power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 40 years or more. While it is considered to be somewhat self-pollinating, it tends to set heavier quantities of fruit with a different variety of the same species growing nearby.

This tree does best in full sun to partial shade. It is quite adaptable, prefering to grow in average to wet conditions, and will even tolerate some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species.