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Serviceberries
Several species of serviceberry or amelanchiers are grown for fruit production. Some serviceberries are used only as landscape plants. The Saskatoon serviceberry is considered superior for fruit production. Serviceberries were used by Native Americans to make pemmican, a mainstay of their diets. Extremely cold hardy, serviceberries are drought resistant and tolerate alkaline soils. This makes them ideal for the Rocky Mountain and High Plains regions.
Serviceberries are shrubs that grow from six to
eighteen feet high, depending on the cultivar selected. Serviceberries
produce clusters of showy, white flowers similar to lilac. Their fruit is
borne in clusters and may vary in color from blue-purple to black to
cream, but most are dark blue. Although the plant appears to be
self-fruitful, more fruit-set will occur when two or more cultivars are
planted in close proximity.
The fruit is
high in potassium, iron, manganese and aluminum and can be used fresh or
cooked. It often is compared to blueberries, but has a slight apple
flavor.
Avoid planting serviceberries where domestic farm animals graze, as
they are toxic to livestock.
For more information, see the following Colorado State Extension fact sheet(s).
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