June 2025 - Illinois Native Plant of the Month - Serviceberry - Amelanchier
If you're looking to enhance your landscape or rooftop deck with beauty, biodiversity, and year-round interest, consider planting a Serviceberry—our latest Illinois Native Plant of the Month. Also known as Juneberry, Shadbush, or Saskatoon depending on the region and species, Serviceberry is a multi-season standout that benefits both people and pollinators. This adaptable small tree or large shrub typically grows 15 to 25 feet tall, making it well-suited for a range of garden sizes and urban environments.
Serviceberry has proven to be exceptionally hardy in large containers on Chicago rooftops, making it a strong recommendation for challenging landscape spaces. With proper care and placement, it can live for 30 years or more. (Note: container-grown Serviceberries may have a shorter lifespan and reduced mature size.)
What Is Serviceberry?
Serviceberries are a group of deciduous shrubs or small trees native to much of North America. There are several species, such as Amelanchier canadensis (Canadian Serviceberry), Amelanchier arborea (Downy Serviceberry), and Amelanchier alnifolia (Saskatoon Serviceberry), each with slight variations in size, growth habit, and hardiness.
These plants are adaptable to a wide range of conditions, from woodland understories to sunny open fields, and they thrive in USDA zones 3 to 9.
Why We Love It
1. Spring Blooms:
Serviceberry is one of the earliest bloomers of the season, offering delicate, five-petaled white flowers in early spring—often just as the snow melts. These blossoms provide vital early nectar for pollinators like bees.
2. Edible Berries:
In early summer (typically June, hence the name Juneberry), the plant produces small, dark purple berries. These are sweet, nutritious, and similar to blueberries with a nuttier flavor. They're excellent for fresh eating, pies, jams, or even winemaking. Birds love them too—so harvest quickly if you want a taste! If you are not sure about planting a tree that produces berries because of the potential mess, consider planting this tree away from your patio or sidewalk.
3. Fall Foliage:
As the seasons turn, Serviceberry offers brilliant autumn color, with leaves that shift from green to glowing oranges, reds, and yellows.
4. Habitat Value:
In addition to feeding pollinators and birds, Serviceberry serves as a host plant for a variety of moth and butterfly larvae, supporting the full lifecycle of these essential insects.
How to Grow Serviceberry
Light: Full sun to partial shade.
Soil: Prefers moist, well-drained soil but is tolerant of various types.
Water: Moderate water needs; drought-tolerant once established.
Care: Minimal pruning needed. Remove suckers if a single-trunk form is preferred.
Consider planting Serviceberry as a specimen tree, in mixed shrub borders, or as part of a native hedge. It’s also a fantastic choice for wildlife gardens and edible landscapes.
Illinois Native Gardening Tip:
Serviceberry checks all the boxes—native, beautiful, edible, and ecologically valuable. To get the most out of this multi-season standout, plant it in a spot where you can enjoy its changing beauty throughout the year, such as near a window, patio, or pathway. If birds are quick to the berries, consider planting multiples to share the harvest. Whether you're a gardener, forager, or nature lover, Serviceberry is a worthy addition to any landscape.
Please contact Rooftopia if you have questions about your landscape or rooftop garden in the Chicagoland region. We would be happy to schedule a consultation with you to help answer questions, provide fine gardening care or help you design and install a new native garden in your very own backyard!