This group consists of beautiful, flowering shrubs and trees mostly native of North America. They are commonly known as Serviceberries, Juneberries, Shadbush, Shad-blow and Snowy Mespilus. Serviceberries are some of the earliest spring-blooming trees. These trees have slender branches and smooth, pale gray bark. They begin to bloom in their first year producing a profusion of short spikes of pure-white, 1-inch flowers. The flowers are followed, in early summer, by small, sweet, red or purple berries. The berries are hidden among the dark green leaves and birds tend to devour them before gardeners realize they are ripening. They were a source of food in the pioneer days and are sometimes used in making jellies. Amelanchier canadensis (Downy Serviceberry) grows up 20 or 30 feet high and has an oval shape. It is covered in smooth, green leaves that are clothed with soft gray hairs when they first unfurl, thus the common name.

Serviceberries will grow in ordinary garden soil, in a sunny or lightly shaded location. They should be planted in the fall, but can be planted in early spring. They hardly need any pruning or fertilizing.

Seeds may be sown outside in the fall, but Amelanchier oblongifolia can be lifted and divided in the fall when the leaves have fallen.

 Amelanchier canadensis (20-30 ft);
 Amelanchier oblongifolia (5-6 ft);
 Amelanchier laevis (30-40 ft);
 Amelanchier asiatica (30-40 ft);
 Amelanchier ovalis (6-9 ft);
 Amelanchier alnifolia (20 ft);
 Amelanchier grandiflora.