Serviceberry, Standing Ovation Amelanchier alnifolia 'Obelisk' Height: 15 feet Spread: 4 feet
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Hardiness Zone: 2b Other Names: Juneberry; Saskatoon Berry Description: With a rigidly upright and slender habit, this shrub also can be grown as a small tree, branches are smothered with pretty white flowers in early spring; makes a great accent in the garden Ornamental Features Serviceberry, Standing Ovation is primarily grown for its highly ornamental fruit. It features an abundance of magnificent deep purple berries from late spring to early summer. It is draped in stunning clusters of white flowers rising above the foliage from early to mid spring before the leaves. It has forest green deciduous foliage which emerges red in spring. The oval leaves turn an outstanding yellow in the fall. Landscape Attributes Serviceberry, Standing Ovation is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with a narrowly upright and columnar growth habit. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other landscape plants with less refined foliage. This is a relatively low maintenance shrub, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It is a good choice for attracting birds to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics. Serviceberry, Standing Ovation is recommended for the following landscape applications; Planting & Growing Serviceberry, Standing Ovation will grow to be about 15 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 4 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground, and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. This is a self-pollinating variety, so it doesn't require a second plant nearby to set fruit. This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. To help this plant achive its best flowering performance, periodically apply a flower-boosting fertilizer from early spring through into the active growing season. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species. Special Attributes Small berries (the size of blueberries) ripen in June. Generally the birds eat them at the peak or ripeness, but can be eaten fresh or used for jams & jelly.
