Remarks

Utah serviceberry is a quite beautiful shrub extending from the Southwestern states northward throughout the Rocky Mountains and through various ecosystems between 4000 and 8000 ft in elevation. Deep green leaves, large oval shaped and toothed at the margins, many intricately branched, smooth gray to maroon bark. Large white flowers with five widely spaced petals open in May and June. Berries appear in the summer, ripening to pink, then red, then finally dark blue. Leaves turn red and orange in the fall. Do not plant junipers in the same larger area with serviceberries, as they are host for the apple -cedar rust. Serviceberries belong to the Rose (Rosacea) family. Drought tolerant once established. Amelanchier alnifolia is similar, with larger edible fruits, and inhabits the same general territory. Both of these serviceberries are greatly underused in the landscape.

Use in Garden

Great looking taller shrub for the high desert, native, habitat and xeric gardens with many seasons of interest.

Maintenance

None.