Downy serviceberry is a four-season tree offering white flowers in spring, small red berries in summer, excellent fall color, and gray bark in winter. The fruit is usually eaten very quickly by birds.
This species is native to the Chicago Region according to Swink and Wilhelm’s Plants of the Chicago Region, with updates made according to current research.
- Family (English) Rose
- Family (botanic) Rosaceae
- Planting site Residential and parks, Under utility lines, Wide median
- Tree or plant type Tree
- Foliage Deciduous (seasonally loses leaves)
- Native locale Chicago area, Illinois, North America
- Size range Small tree (15-25 feet)
- Mature height 15-25 feet
- Mature width Variable
- Light exposure Full sun (6 hrs direct light daily), Partial sun / shade (4-6 hrs light daily)
- Hardiness zones Zone 4, Zone 5 (Northern Illinois), Zone 6 (City of Chicago), Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9
- Soil preference Acid soil, Moist, well-drained soil
- Tolerances Alkaline soil, Dry sites, Occasional drought, Wet sites
- Season of interest early winter, midwinter, late winter, early spring, mid spring, late spring, early summer, midsummer, late summer, early fall, mid fall, late fall
- Flower color and fragrance White
- Shape or form Narrow
- Growth rate Moderate
- Transplants well Yes
- Planting considerations Intolerant of pollution
- Wildlife Game birds, Game mammals, Small mammals, Songbirds
- Has cultivars Yes