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Juneberry

Amelanchier lamarckii

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Plant Profile
Other Information
Distribution Map

Flowering Months:

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

Order:

Rosales

Family:

Rosaceae (Rose)

Also in this family:

Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Service Tree, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bearberry Cotoneaster, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullace Plum, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Devon Whitebeam, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Dropwort, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Lady's-mantle, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hairy Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Himalayan Whitebeam, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llangollen Whitebeam, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Scannell's Whitebeam, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Wall Cotoneaster, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Pear, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wineberry, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry

Type:

Deciduous shrub

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Maximum Size:

12 metres tall

Habitats:

Heathland, hedgerows, roadsides, scrub, woodland.

Flower:

White, 5 petals

The flowers appear in clusters. They have 5 narrow petals, up to 4cm in size. Yellow anthers. Pollinated by bees.

Fruit:

The fruit is a berry, up to 1cm across. Its colour is is green at first, then it changes to red and finally purplish black upon ripening. The fruits appear in June and July.

Leaves:

A small deciduous tree or shrub with pointed, oval leaves. The leaves are finely toothed. They change colour throughout the season starting with purple, fading to greyish and then finally yellow or red in autumn. Often found naturalised in Oak and Beech woodlands.

Aroma:

The flowers have a slight fragrance.

Other Names:

Lamarck's Serviceberry, Serviceberry, Shadbush, Snowy Mespil, Snowy Mespilus.

Frequency (UK):

Occasionally seen

Summary

Amelanchier lamarckii, commonly known as Lamarck's serviceberry or Juneberry, is a species of flowering plant in the rose family. It is native to Europe and Asia, but it is widely cultivated in many parts of the world as an ornamental plant. It is a deciduous shrub or small tree that can grow up to 6 meters tall. The leaves are dark green and glossy, and the plant produces clusters of white or pink flowers in the spring, followed by edible berries that ripen in June. The berries are small, round and have a sweet taste, they can be eaten raw or used to make jams, pies or syrups. The bark is smooth and gray, the twigs are reddish-brown. It is a hardy plant that can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, it prefers full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils. It's often used in landscaping, as a specimen plant or in hedgerows.

Blog

Juneberry, also known as Amelanchier lamarckii, is a deciduous tree that belongs to the Rosaceae family. It is native to North America but has gained popularity in Europe and other parts of the world due to its beautiful flowers, edible berries, and its hardiness in a variety of soil types and climates.

Appearance

Juneberry typically grows to a height of 6 to 12 meters and spreads out to form a broad, rounded canopy. It has a gray-brown bark that is smooth when young, but as it ages, it develops a rough texture with ridges and fissures. The leaves of Juneberry are simple, serrated, and ovate in shape, and they turn a beautiful reddish-orange color in the fall. The tree produces beautiful white or pale pink flowers in the spring, which are followed by small, edible berries in the summer.

Growing Conditions

Juneberry is a very hardy tree that can grow in a wide range of soil types and climates. It prefers well-drained soil that is slightly acidic and moist, but it can also tolerate sandy or clay soils. The tree can be grown in full sun or partial shade, but it will produce more flowers and fruit in full sun. Juneberry is also resistant to many pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance tree that is perfect for home gardens and landscapes.

Uses

Juneberry is primarily grown for its edible fruit, which is similar in taste to blueberries but has a slightly nutty flavor. The berries can be eaten fresh or used in jams, jellies, pies, and other desserts. In addition to its culinary uses, Juneberry has also been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including diarrhea, fever, and sore throats. The bark of the tree has also been used to make teas and tonics that are believed to have medicinal properties.

In addition to its practical uses, Juneberry is also a popular ornamental tree that is valued for its beautiful flowers and fall foliage. The tree is often used in landscaping and urban forestry projects to add color and interest to parks, streets, and other public spaces. Juneberry is also a great tree for wildlife, as its fruit is eaten by birds and small mammals.

Cultivars

There are several different cultivars of Juneberry available, each with their own unique characteristics. For example, the 'Robin Hill' cultivar produces large, juicy berries that are perfect for eating fresh or using in baking. The 'Prince William' cultivar is known for its profuse flowering and its ability to produce fruit in colder climates. The 'Autumn Brilliance' cultivar is prized for its vibrant fall foliage, which turns a deep reddish-purple color.

Propagation

Juneberry can be propagated from seed, but it can take several years for the tree to reach maturity and start producing fruit. For faster results, the tree can be propagated from cuttings or by grafting onto a rootstock. Cuttings should be taken in the winter while the tree is dormant and planted in a well-draining soil mix.

Other Uses

In addition to its culinary and ornamental uses, Juneberry has also been used in traditional Native American culture for a variety of purposes. The branches of the tree were often used in sweat lodges, and the bark was used to make a dye for basketry. The berries were also used as a natural dye for clothing and other textiles.

Range and Habitat

Juneberry is native to North America and can be found growing wild across much of the United States and Canada. It typically grows in open woods, along streambanks, and in other moist, well-drained habitats. In addition to its native range, Juneberry has been introduced to many other parts of the world, including Europe and Asia.

Pollinators

Like many fruit trees, Juneberry relies on pollinators to produce fruit. The tree is visited by a variety of insects, including bees, butterflies, and moths, which help to transfer pollen between flowers. In some cases, it may be necessary to plant more than one Juneberry tree to ensure adequate pollination and fruit set.

Edible Berries

Juneberry berries are small, round, and usually reddish-purple in color. They have a sweet, nutty flavor that is similar to blueberries, but with a slightly firmer texture. The berries can be eaten fresh, cooked, or used to make jams, jellies, and pies. They are also high in antioxidants, vitamin C, and other nutrients.

Folklore and Mythology

In some Native American cultures, Juneberry was considered to be a sacred tree with spiritual significance. The berries were often used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, and the tree was believed to have protective properties. In European folklore, Juneberry was sometimes associated with fairies and other magical beings.

Insects and Diseases

While Juneberry is generally resistant to pests and diseases, it can be susceptible to a few common problems. One of the most serious threats is fire blight, a bacterial disease that can cause dieback and other damage to the tree. Other pests that can affect Juneberry include aphids, scale insects, and spider mites. Regular monitoring and appropriate treatment can help to prevent and control these issues.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Juneberry is a versatile and attractive tree with a rich history and many practical uses. Whether you are interested in growing it for its edible fruit, ornamental beauty, or cultural significance, it is a tree that is sure to provide enjoyment and value for many years to come.

Reproduced by kind permission of the BSBI.

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