The downy serviceberry is a deciduous tree that can fill a wide variety of roles in a garden, from specimen to border, barrier, mass planting or understory tree. It has showy, fragrant five-petaled white flowers in spring, followed by finely toothed leaves with a hairy underside. The small tree produces a green fruit that turns red then purple-black as it matures in late summer to fall. The edible berries are similar but slightly sweeter in taste than highbush blueberries, and can be used for pies and jams. Grows in a wide range of cultural conditions: in full sun to partial shade and acidic to neutral, sandy, loam, or clay soil that is moist and well-drained, but occasionally wet or dry. Typically grows to 15–25' high with a narrow rounded form. Has a multistemmed habit as a small tree or if the root suckers are not removed, it will develop a more shrubby form.
Downy serviceberry is native to eastern North America. It is found on wooded slopes and cliffs, open woods, wooded bluffs, rocky woodlands, limestone glades, riverbanks, andn the edges of swamps. Pollinators and insects feed on the nectar in the blooms and gather pollen in early spring. Fruits are eaten by songbirds, small and large mammals. Host plant for red-spotted and viceroy butterfly larvae.
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BONAP Native Range Map (bright green indicates county native, dark green indicates state native)