Korean juneberry, Service Berry, Shad Bush
Amelanchier asiatica

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A deciduous bush or small tree. It grows to 5-8 m high and spreads 3-10 m wide. The stem is erect and branching. The bark is grey-brown and becomes cracked with age. The leaves are oval and rounded at the base and pointed at the tip. They are 7.5 cm long by 4 cm wide. They turn red in autumn. The flowers are white and they have a smell. They are in upright spreading racemes which are 6 cm long. The fruit are black sweet berries. They are 1 cm across.

There are about 25-30 Amelanchier species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. Plants grow naturally in hilly and mountainous regions in China, Japan, and Korea. It is drought and frost resistant. Hobart Botanical Gardens. It suits hardiness zones 5-9.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Japan (country/location of origin), Korea, Tasmania

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw or cooked.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seed should be frozen before planting. It can be grown from seed, layering or suckers. Seed can take 18 months to germinate and layers can take 18 months to form roots.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Amelanchier canadensis japonica (Miq.); Aronia asiatica (Siebold. & Zucc.);