Running Serviceberry

Running Serviceberry (Amelanchier stolonifera)

Common Name: Running Serviceberry
Scientific Name: Amelanchier stolonifera
Type: Deciduous shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Moisture: Dry to moist, well-drained soils
Height: 60–150 cm (2–5 ft)
Habitat: Open woods, thickets, and upland slopes

Description:

The Running Serviceberry is a compact, stolon-forming native shrub that brings four-season beauty and ecological value to your landscape. In early spring, it bursts into clouds of white blossoms that attract native bees and early pollinators. By summer, its deep purple berries feed songbirds, small mammals, and people alike — a natural food source that once sustained travelers and Indigenous communities alike, used in pemmican and traditional medicines.

Come autumn, the foliage ignites with shades of gold, orange, and red — all while the underground runners form a living network that stabilizes soil, prevents erosion, and supports biodiversity.

Ecosystem Benefits:

• Provides nectar and pollen for early-season pollinators
• Offers fruit and cover for birds and small wildlife
• Prevents erosion on slopes and disturbed sites
• Supports ecological restoration and hedgerow biodiversity

???? Interesting Facts:

• Fossil records show Amelanchier species dating back millions of years, adapting to changing climates across North America.
• The name “serviceberry” is said to come from early settlers noticing the shrub blooming just as the ground thawed enough for spring burial services — marking renewal and connection between life and land.
• Its berries are rich in antioxidants and nutrients, rivaling blueberries in health benefits.

Planting to Protect. Restoring to Thrive.

Available now at Origin Native Plants – Guelph, Ontario
OriginNativePlants.com