Mature Snowy Mespilus Tree Amelanchier Lamarckii

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Snowy Mespilus Tree / Juneberry Tree aka Snowy Mespilus, Juneberry and Serviceberry

Amelanchier lamarckii is a hardy, award-winning (RHS Award of Garden Merit) deciduous shrub or small tree grown for white spring blossom, bronze young leaves, edible red to dark purple-black berries and orange-red autumn colour. ^[1] It is a strong choice for long-term garden colour, low maintenance, attracting birds and generally pest-free growing.

It suits city and courtyard gardens, wildlife gardens, low-maintenance planting, hedging, screens, edible fruit interest ^[1] and ecological value for bees and butterflies. ^[6]

In spring, white flowers appear in short, loose racemes as the leaves unfurl. ^[1] The young foliage opens with a bronze tint before turning green, then colours orange and red in autumn. ^[1] Full sun gives the best autumn colour^[6], but Lamarckii will tolerate partial shade. ^[1]

RHS lists Amelanchier lamarckii as reaching around 8–12m high with a 4–8m spread over 10–20 years. ^[1] and Van Den Berk lists it as 6-9m tall and wide.^[7]

In gardens, final size will depend on soil, position, form and pruning.

Planting an Amelanchier lamarckii Tree

Plant snowy mespilus in full sun or partial shade. Full sun is best if autumn colour is the main reason for buying it. ^[1] It grows in clay, loam or sand, provided the soil is moist but well drained or well drained. RHS lists acid or neutral soil as suitable. ^[1]

Avoid very wet, compacted or waterlogged ground. Before planting, water the pot well, plant at the same depth it was growing in its container, firm the soil gently around the roots and water thoroughly after planting.

Keep the tree watered while it establishes, especially during dry spells in the first growing season. Once established, it is generally low-maintenance, but young trees still need proper watering until they have rooted into the surrounding soil.

Snowy mespilus is very hardy, with RHS giving it hardiness rating H7 (tolerates minus 20 degrees centigrade or more). ^[1]

It may cope with some coastal wind in a reasonably sheltered position, but it should not be treated as a frontline coastal tree for exposed, salt-laden sites. ^[6]

Snowy mespilus needs little routine pruning. RHS places it in pruning group 1, which means pruning is mainly limited to removing dead, damaged, diseased or badly placed growth. ^[1] If it is being grown as a standard tree, remove suckers from the base if you want to keep a cleaner single-stem shape. ^[5]

It is often grown as a multi-stem tree because that suits its natural habit.

RHS lists it as generally pest-free, but it may be susceptible to fireblight and honey fungus. ^[1]

Other Interesting Information About Amelanchier lamarckii Trees

The name lamarckii honours Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck. ^[6] The naming is not completely straightforward: Kew lists the accepted name as Amelanchier × lamarckii F.G.Schroed., first published in Taxon in 1968, with the hybrid formula Amelanchier arborea × Amelanchier laevis. ^[2]

BSBI records it as introduced into cultivation in 1746 and widely planted ornamentally. It is also considered the only Amelanchier naturalised in Britain. ^[3]

Deepdale Trees describes the bark as smooth silver grey and the crown as funnel-shaped. ^[4] Ebben describes the crown as wide, vase-shaped and finely branched. ^[6]

See What Our Customers Are Saying About Our Snowy Mespilus Tree/Juneberry Tree (Amelanchier lamarckii)

Very pleased with our *Amelanchier Lamarckii tree that was delivered safely this morning -beautiful shape ! To the senior dogsbody Alan ( is there a junior dogsbody?) Thank you .W.Swift. 0921
Ordered *Amelanchier Lamarckii tree Monday 31st - arrived today. Very pleased with quality of tree & quick despatch. Thanks. David Bell 0915
*Added for transparency and clarity.

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