What Does an Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry Look Like?

The Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry is a showstopper year-round, and it unveils a new surprise every season. In the spring, beautiful pink buds bloom to reveal delicate white flowers that cover the bare branches of the tree. Butterflies and other pollinators are especially attracted to these blooms. 

As summer arrives, juicy purple berries form, which is a food source for a number of native birds. They’re also delicious in pies, jams, and raw, straight from the tree. The only challenge is harvesting the berries before the birds snatch them from the tree’s branches.

The foliage is a lovely shade of blue-green, but when autumn arrives, it becomes brilliant orange and red. This contrasts beautifully with the tree’s smooth, gray bark, and it stands out among other trees in the Denver area.

Where Does it Grow?

The Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry grows in nearly every state in the country, and it’s incredibly adaptable to a wide range of climates and soil conditions. It grows best in zones three through nine, which includes most of the landscape in Colorado. They’re hardy, beautiful, and adaptable, which makes them an ideal choice for home landscaping in the Denver area.

How Big Does it Get?

Expect your Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry to reach a mature height of around 20 to 25 feet, with a spread of 15 to 20 feet. If you plant a young tree, it can fairly easily be pruned to grow as an ornamental shrub, as well. They grow at a moderate rate, so your tree will quickly provide shade, attract wildlife, and provide sweet fruit for harvesting, right in your own yard.

What Does it Need to Grow?

These trees are hardy, and they’re very adaptable to a number of climates and conditions. 

What Type of Soil Does it Need?

Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry trees require well-drained soil in order to thrive and grow. It’s best to add compost when planting your tree, so it’s got the nutrients it needs to grow and produce fruit. It’s also important to ensure that your tree gets a moderate amount of water throughout the year.

How Much Light Does it Need?

Plant your tree in a place that receives full sun or partial shade. In order to produce bright, colorful leaves, lovely flowers, and juicy purple fruit, it’s important to ensure that your plant gets at least four hours of direct sunlight each day.

Are Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry Trees Native to Colorado?

Yes, the Serviceberry trees are native to North America, and thanks to their hardiness, they thrive in nearly every state in the US. You can find them throughout Colorado and on the east coast. In fact, George Washington planted these beautiful trees at his estate, Mount Vernon.

Interesting Facts

• Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry trees are also called “Shadbush” and “Juneberry” trees.
• The berries produced by these trees are referred to as “Sugarplums” and “Wild Plums.”
• Native Americans and early settlers enjoyed eating the berries, and they believed they had medicinal properties.
• The Autumn Brilliance is a natural hybrid of several different varieties of Serviceberry trees.

If you’d like to receive more information about the Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry, or if you’d like help incorporating one into your home landscape, contact us at American Arbor Care today.