Amelanchier canadensis 'Rainbow Pillar' (Serviceberry)

Amelanchier canadensis, commonly called serviceberry, is a native, deciduous, large shrub or small tree which typically grows to 15-25' tall; noted for its upright growth habit and vibrant, powdery mildew resistant fall foliage, the 'Rainbow Pillar' cultivar was also selected for its reduced fruit production, making for tidier hedges and street planting. Serviceberry features showy, lightly fragrant, white flowers in drooping clusters in March and April, appearing before the leaves emerge. In late spring and early fall, flowers turn to small, green berries which deepen to red and finally mature to a dark purplish-black, though for 'Rainbow Pillar' less than 10% of the flowers will produce viable fruit, and with their tidy, upright growth, this makes 'rainbow Pillar' an excellent choice for a hedge or screen plant along paths or sidewalks where other serviceberries might stain.

Amelanchier canadensis has wide light tolerance and tolerates salt and a variety of other soil conditions when provided with enough moisture; since serviceberry can tolerate such a wide range of conditions, it is a valuable addition to a variety of home garden and urban environments. 'Rainbow Pillar' works well as a specimen tree with its vibrant red fall foliage, but this cultivar also well for restoration projects, pollinator gardens, and naturalizing in a variety of locations.