Serviceberry
Amelanchier x grandiflora
Serviceberry (Amelanchier x grandiflora) is a tree suited to the Colorado Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List. It matures to about 15–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide, needs medium water, and prefers full sun to partial shade to dappled sun. Develops iron chlorosis in our alkaline soils, leaves yellow with green veins, then decline.
medium water15–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide
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At a glance
- Rating
- Recommended for Most Sites
- Botanical name
- Amelanchier x grandiflora
- Variety / cultivar
- 'Autumn Brilliance'
- Type
- Tree
- Mature size
- 15–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide
- Mature form
- Rounded
- Spacing / clearance
- ~20 ft of clearance
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 3–8
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- Short-lived
- Fall color
- Orange, red
- Water needs
- medium water
- Sun
- Best in full sun; tolerates partial shade, dappled sun. Flowers best with more sun.
- Colorado native
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Soil
- clay, loam, sandy
- Soil pH
- 6.0–8.2
- Hail tolerance
- moderate
- Wind tolerance
- moderate
- Salt tolerance
- moderate
- Firewise (defensible space)
- Zones 1–3 (can be planted near the house)
- Bloom color
- white
- Bloom time
- early spring
- Pollinator value
- high
Site factors to consider
- Critical: Soil ChemistryOur alkaline clay locks up iron for this one, so leaves often yellow between green veins and growth stalls unless you treat it.
- Watch: Short LivedFast but not forever; this one runs short lived here, so enjoy it and plan a successor rather than treating it as a legacy tree.
Wildlife & ecology
- Pollinator value
- high
- Deer
- Not deer-resistant
Frequently asked questions
- Is Serviceberry good for the Colorado Front Range?
- Yes, Serviceberry is a well-suited tree for Colorado's Front Range, rated "Recommended for Most Sites" on the 2024 Front Range Tree Recommendation List.
- How big does Serviceberry get?
- It matures to about 15–25 ft tall and 15–20 ft wide.
- How much room does Serviceberry need?
- Give Serviceberry about 20 ft of clearance from buildings, fences, and other trees so the mature canopy isn't crowded.
- What shape does Serviceberry grow into?
- Serviceberry typically grows into a broad, rounded crown, the classic shade-tree silhouette. This is the species' usual mature form, named cultivars (columnar, weeping, or compact selections) can differ, so check the specific cultivar.
- Is Serviceberry hardy on the Front Range?
- Serviceberry is hardy in USDA 3–8. The Colorado Front Range spans roughly USDA 4b–6a, so it is well within range.
- How much water does Serviceberry need?
- It needs medium water once established.
- How fast does Serviceberry grow?
- Serviceberry is a moderate-growing tree. Growth rate depends on water and site conditions on the Front Range.
- How long does Serviceberry live?
- Serviceberry is relatively short-lived for a tree, so plan to replace it sooner than a long-lived shade tree. Actual lifespan varies with site, water, and care.
- What color does Serviceberry turn in fall?
- Serviceberry turns orange and red in autumn. Fall color intensity varies with the season and site on the Front Range.
- Is Serviceberry native to Colorado?
- No. It is not a Colorado native, but it grows well on the Front Range.
- Is Serviceberry deer-resistant?
- No. Serviceberry is not considered deer-resistant and may need protection where deer browse.
- Is Serviceberry a good firewise plant near the house?
- Serviceberry is a lower-fuel choice suitable in defensible-space zones 1–3, it can be planted near the house when kept well irrigated and maintained. This is general suitability guidance based on CSU Extension firewise plant lists, not a guarantee that any plant won't burn, a well-irrigated, well-maintained plant is the goal. Follow CSU Extension defensible-space guidance and check with your local fire district before planting in the wildland-urban interface.
