Description

A “new” native plant – new to me that is! I’m so glad I “found” it! Serviceberry is one of my favs, and now I can offer you a shrubby form of serviceberry – perfect for smaller areas where a traditional (taller) serviceberry may not fit.
 
Nantucket serviceberry is an uncommon suckering shrub native to the northeastern US. It is a low growing shrub that will form dense colonies over time. Like its more well-known and taller cousins, it has white flowers in spring, blue-black berries in summer and beautiful orange-red foliage in the fall.

Attracts birds, butterflies and bees. Larval host plant.

Prefers a rich loamy soil but thrives in any soil that is not too dry or water-logged.
Prune out dead and weakened shoots in late winter.
 
Height: 4-5 ft.
Spread: 4-5 ft.
Family: Apiaceae
Bloom time: April to May
Sun: full sun
Water: dry to medium
According to Rutgers University, Amelanchier species are “seldom severely damaged” by deer.

Fun fact #1: The flowers of A. nantucketensis sometimes bear pollen directly on their petal margins. Petal-borne pollen is highly unusual within the plant kingdom. This uncommon phenomenon is known as andropetaly. Try and work that into your next conversation!
 
Fun fact #2: Identification of Amelanchier to species is difficult because of frequent hybridizations which occur between most A. species. Nantucket shadbush is characterized by its flowers which are arranged in racemes, with petals only 3-4 mm long, much shorter than most other Amelanchiers.

photo credit: Nick Goletz