This temperate region native of the Northern Hemisphere has so many common names it is probably futile to search for them all. Shadblow, Juneberry (because some species' fruit ripens in June), serviceberry, shadbush, shadwood, sarvisberry, wild pear, saskatoon or saskatoon (derived from the Cree Indian name; Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, is named after it) berry, sugarplum or wild-plum, Eastern shadbush, amélanchier (derived from the Provencal name for a European species) du Canada and chuckley pear, not to mention numerous cultivars. If you know of another local name, please drop a comment. At least one species is native to every state except Hawaii as well as every Canadian province and territory. There are a few species in Europe and Asia.
The genus comprises about 20 species of deciduous-leaved shrubs and small trees in the Rose family (Rosaceae), though there is considerable disagreement about this among experts because hybridization and asexual seed production complicate the identification of species. The various species grow from extensive, low shrubby patches only a few inches tall to 65 feet tall. Some are single-trunk trees; some are multistemmed shrubs that may be coppiced, that is, cut back nearly to the ground using a traditional method of woodland management that induces new growth from the base of the plant; plants managed in this way never die of old age, but are maintained in a perpetually juvenile state. Coppicing also restricts the size a plant can attain in a season, keeping naturally larger specimens from attaining full size so they can be maintained in smaller gardens; such plants are especially suitable for bonsai. For more on this interesting subject, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coppicing.
Amelanchier plants are important to wildlife and are preferred browse for deer and rabbits. Heavy browsing pressure can suppress natural regeneration. Caterpillars such as Brimstone Moth, Brown-tail, Grey Dagger, Mottled Umber, Rough Prominent, Satellite, Winter Moth, Red-Spotted Purple and White Admiral as well as various other insects feed on Amelanchier. Many insects and diseases that attack orchard trees also affect this genus.
The fruit of several species are excellent to eat raw, tasting somewhat like a blueberry, strongly accented by the almond-like flavour of the seeds. Fruit is harvested locally for pies and jams as well as to flavor wine, beer, and cider. The saskatoon berry is harvested commercially; Canadian growers are positioning their crops as "superfoods" because of their high nutritional value. One version of the Native American food pemmican was flavored by serviceberry fruits in combination with minced dried meat and fat, and the stems were made into arrow shafts; other forms of pemmican used chokecherries, huckleberries, or cranberries, depending on location in North America, and season.
Amelanchier fruit resembles the blueberry
Widely used as an ornamental plant, Amelanchier canadensis attracts wildlife to the garden and provides interest in all seasons. Below, white spring flowers sway gracefully in the breeze:
Fall color is another outstanding feature of A. canadensis; hybrids may be redder; the many and varied stems of this grove will provide winter interest
Propagation is by seed, divisions, and grafting. Serviceberries graft so readily that grafts onto other genera, such as Crataegus (quince) and Sorbus (ash), are often successful.
