Amelanchier lamarckii

14 Apr

Amelanchier lamarckii (07/04/2012, London)

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Flowering period: Spring

Soil: Moist, well drained

Eventual Height: 12m

Eventual Spread: 8m

Hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a

Family: Rosaceae

Amelanchier lamarckii is a large erect deciduous shrub or small tree with an open habit, often being multi stemmed Its leaves are opposite, elliptic, serrulate and are up to 8cm long. These emerge bronze/ pink, becoming yellow/ green in for the summer months, turning orange/ red/ crimson before leaf drop. Its branches are erect and its silver/ grey bark is smooth. Its white flowers are star shaped, five petaled and are arranged in racemes, in lax conical heads. Its fruit follow the flowers in the form of a pome, initially red in mid summer, becoming purple/ black when mature. These are edible.

Amelanchier lamarckii Flower (07/04/2012, London)

Amelanchier lamarckii, commonly known as the Snowy Mespilus or Juneberry, is native to eastern Canada and north east USA. This species is believed to be a hybrid and should technically be know as Amelanchier x lamarckii. This tree has naturalised over much of western Europe.

The etymological root of the binomial name Amelanchier is from French Provencal name ‘Amelancier’, an old name for Amelanchier ovalis. Lamarckii is named after Jean Baptiste de Monet Lamarck, a 19th century French naturalist and author.

The landscape architect may find Amelanchier lamarckii useful as an attractive small specimen tree, particularly in a partially shaded site. This plant has a habit of suckering and is not suitable as a street tree. It may also be planted as a informal hedge.