Cusick's Serviceberry

Beautiful Serviceberry plants should be watered about twice each week, depending on the weather conditions. When the soil feels dry to the touch, it is time to water the plant. For general maintenance and when the plant is newly planted, water deeply to a depth of about 6-9 inches. As established plants will begin to develop a deep root system, water with shorter but more frequent waterings. Try to avoid getting the leaves or trunk wet as this could lead to fungal disease. In the winter months, reduce watering to once a month.

Beautiful Serviceberry (Amelanchier amabilis) is a deciduous plant, meaning it does best with full sun. It prefers a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight each day, but can tolerate up to 8 hours per day. This species can survive in various light conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and will typically grow larger and more abundantly when exposed to more hours of sunlight. Bright indirect light is preferable to dense shade, so if exposure to full sun is greater than 8 hours per day, some afternoon shade may be beneficial.

Beautiful Serviceberry (Amelanchier amabilis) should be pruned during the winter months when the plant is dormant. Pruning should be minimal and selective—aim to remove no more than 1/3 of the plant in any given year. Start by cutting out any dead, diseased, or damaged branches. Thin out dense or overcrowded branches so more light can reach the interior of the bush. Remove any crossing branches and branches that rub against each other. Finally, shorten any overly long branches by a third or more. This will help maintain the plant’s natural, rounded shape.