Flowering trees and shrubs provide multi-season interest to your landscape, or garden, especially in early spring.
In mid-April when most trees look like skeletons, an early bloomer indicates spring is on the way. Although a little late this year because of persistent cold weather, spikes of white flowers of Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.) are finally showing up in the forest understory and in residential landscapes.
Depending on the area of the country, common names include shadblow, shadbush, Juneberry, sarvis and Saskatoon. Flowers last one to two weeks and are an early source of nectar for bees and butterflies. Short-lived blossoms are followed by small, purple fruit that matures in two to three months. The fruit is edible and attracts birds including goldfinches, titmice, blue jays, cardinals, orioles and robins. Small animals like chipmunks and squirrels also eat the berries and humans use them in jams, jellies and pies or eat them fresh.
Serviceberries can be a single- or multi-stemmed tree or large shrub that grows in full sun to full shade. They can be naturalized at the edge of woodland or used as a specimen plant or in small groupings. When planted near evergreens or darker buildings, the flowers and fall foliage in shades of orange, yellow and red stand out. Most have grayish bark that provides winter interest. Since roots aren’t invasive, other plants that prefer part shade can be planted beneath them.
Depending on the species, mature height can reach 25 to 45 feet. Serviceberries prefer slightly moist to moist, well-drained soil and are hardy from Zones 2 to 8. At least 30 species occur in the United States, but are difficult to classify at the species level because of physical similarities and interspecific hybridizing.
Another attractive early blooming tree, Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) is native to eastern North America and used as an ornamental in Zones 4 to 9. Reddish-purple flower buds occur in clusters along the branches and open from March to May to become rosy pink. Pea-shaped flowers, showy for about a month, are visited by many pollinators, but only long-tongued bees and hummingbirds are able to reach the nectar.
Redbuds prefer deep, moist, well-drained soil and will grow in partial sun or light shade. They typically reach 20 to 30 feet tall and can have a single trunk or multiple trunks with spreading branches. Leaves are heart shaped with smooth margins and prominent veins. Seeds are produced in pods that turn from green to brown as they mature and eventually fall from the tree. Each pod contains four to 12 black or brown kidney-shaped seeds. Heavy seed production does not occur every year, but plants will self-seed and young seedlings can easily be transplanted when they are small.
Eastern redbud trees can be grown in gardens as specimen trees or foundation plants, in parks or as street trees. They combine well with other shrubs and contrast dramatically with evergreens. It is best to purchase from local sources since all cultivars available are not equally hardy in colder zones.
While serviceberry doesn’t have serious pests, redbud can be attacked by scale insects, a few species of wood borers and tree hoppers. The redbud leaffolder, grape leaffolder and Japanese weevil eat the leaves. Redbud is also susceptible to leaf anthracnose (Mycosphaerella cercidicola), Botryosphaeria canker and verticillium wilt. Despite these pests, both trees will provide multi-season interest to your landscape, or garden, especially in early spring.
Mary V. Clark is a Master Gardener with Penn State Extension – Beaver County.