Amelanchier 'BALLERINA'

June berry and downy serviceberry species are popular shrubs and trees that are celebrating their renaissance at the beginning of the new millennium. They belong to both ornamental plants as well as fruit trees which is why they are regaining interest. They are very easy to grow and can cope even with heavy clay without any need for additional fertilizing. Moreover, their root system is so dense that it helps protect soil from erosion.

Ballerina June berry is a Dutch hybrid of amelanchier laevis from 1970’s. It makes a more compact, large shrub or a small tree of with vase-shaped habit with dense branching. In April it produces numerous star-shaped, white, scented flowers that are followed by are purple-blackish berries in early summer. They are 1-1.5 cm in diameter, sweet and juicy, and can be picked up for as long as one month. They look like blueberries and are valued for high contents of iron and copper. Broadly elliptic leaves are 5-8 cm long, emerge bronze, and mature to green colour. They change to red and purple in autumn.

June berry is a fast grower. If you want to keep it smaller and more compact, prune it every year at the end of winter. It will grow in almost any but dry soil, however, it prefers fertile and acid, lime-free, moist but well-drained soil. It grows well in heavy clay. Thanks to its vitality and virtually no needs it is ideal for organic growing. Fully hardy to -34°C (USDA zone 4).

Last update 16-03-2013