Three Acre Tablea garden, a kitchen, a good excuse to gather
Amelanchier canadensis
Plate — illustration to come
Native · New Jersey

Serviceberry / Shadbush

Amelanchier canadensis

Tree

The first small tree of spring. Clouds of white petals open the same week the shad run in New Jersey rivers — hence 'shadbush' — and small purple berries follow in early summer that migrating songbirds strip in a matter of days. Fall color oranges to reds.

At a glance

The spec sheet.

Habitat
Woodland edges, streambanks, moist thickets across NJ
Bloom time
April
Sun
Full sun to part shade
Soil
Average, moist, well-drained; adaptable
Moisture
Medium
Height
15–25 feet
For the wildlife

What it attracts.

The species that visit, feed on, or depend on this plant — and how they use it.

  • Early emerging native bees

    Nectar source

    Mason bees, mining bees — first food after emergence

  • Red-spotted Purple & Viceroy butterflies

    Larval host

  • Songbirds

    Fruit / seed source

    Cedar waxwings, robins, cardinals, catbirds, thrushes — fruits ripen for migration

  • 40+ moth & butterfly species

    Larval host

    One of the highest-value small trees for supporting insect diversity

Notes on growing

Multiple cultivars available — 'Autumn Brilliance' is a reliable pick. Susceptible to cedar-apple rust and fire blight in wet years. Give it airflow and don't crowd.

Sources

Xerces Society · Doug Tallamy — Bringing Nature Home · Jersey-Friendly Yards

Blooms with

Other natives in bloom now.