Princess Diana Serviceberry

Amelanchier × grandiflora 'Princess Diana'. Hybrid cross between A. arborea (downy serviceberry) and A. laevis (Allegheny serviceberry). Small deciduous usually multi-trunked understory tree or tall shrub with a rounded to oval form. Open multi-stemmed structure. Yellow flower buds open to abundant large white flowers in early spring (April). Oval-lanceolate finely-toothed leaves to 3 inches long emerge with bronze tints in spring, mature to dark green late spring through summer, turning brilliant red to orange-red in fall. Better disease resistance than many serviceberry cultivars. Low-maintenance. Verticillium wilt resistant, seaside/salt tolerant.

Edible bluish-purple to purplish-red fruits 3/8 inch diameter in June (hence common name Juneberry). Large purple-red fruit, sweet, abundant, and delicious. Berries resemble blueberries in taste. Sweet and juicy. May be used in jams, jellies, pies. Produces heavier fruit crops than many cultivars.

Selected from cultivation in Wisconsin for abundant white flowers opening from yellow buds, bluish-purple fruits, and strong red-orange fall color. Named cultivar 'Princess Diana'. One of several showy Amelanchier × grandiflora cultivars known in commerce. Hybrid species native to temperate North America. Four-season interest tree: small white flowers spring, edible berries early summer, attractive foliage color fall, interesting bark/branch structure winter. Best used in naturalistic setting in home landscape, found at woodland's edge in native habitats.