eastern serviceberry

Plant Type

Small Tree/Large Shrub (10-25 ft)

Life Cycle

Perennial

Typical Size

15-25 ft. tall
15-20 ft. wide

Tolerant of

Occasional Flooding

Inolerant of

Dry Soil

Propagation

By seed, By cutting

Plant Propagation Notes

Cold moist stratify seed for 120 days or take softwood cuttings in spring or summer.

Plants/Diseases

May experience some foliar diseases such as rust, leaf spot, blight, and powdery mildew can occur. Herbivorous insects that affect the leaves include the sawfly, leaf miner, borers and scale.

Wildlife Benefits

Nectar/pollen source for pollinating insects, Host plant for butterfly larvae, Fruit/seeds for birds, Supports numerous caterpillars (bird food)

Leaves

Simple, elliptical leaves are alternate and have serrated margins.

Flowers

Showy white and sometimes pink flowers with 4-5 petals.

Fruit

Dark purple to black berry-like pomes.

Bark

Young bark is smooth and develops ridges with maturity.

Toxicity

No known toxity.

Edibility

Fruits are edible.

USDA Hardiness Zones

3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Light Exposure

Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade, Full Shade

Soil Moisture

Moist

Soil Drainage

Well-drained

Native in South Carolina?

Yes

Plant Native Habitat

Pocosins, acidic wetlands, bogs, wet pine flatwoods, maritime forests.

Global Conservation Status (NatureServe)

Secure (G5)

Federal Conservation Status (USFWS)

Not Listed

Distribution Notes

Common in the coastal plain, uncommon in the piedmont, and rare in the mountains.