Amelanchier alnifolia 'Smokey'

– Flowers attract bees and early pollinators

– Berries are highly attractive to birds, including waxwings and robins

– Offers cover and nesting sites for small birds and mammals

– A top native choice for habitat gardens

– Spring: White flowers bloom early

– Summer: Blue-purple berries ripen by early to mid-summer (June–July)

– Fall: Leaves turn soft yellow, sometimes flushed with orange

– Winter: Bare, graceful branches add fine texture

– Edible landscapes – wildlife gardens – naturalized plantings – hedgerows – cottage gardens – foundation planting – orchard borders – multi-season ornamental value

– Deciduous leaves, soft green with a slightly bluish tone

– Oval to oblong with smooth to slightly toothed edges

– Fall color: Usually soft yellow, sometimes with gold or orange tones

– Foliage emerges early in spring, providing seasonal interest

– Masses of white, star-shaped flowers in early spring (often April)

– Appear before or with leaf emergence, creating a dramatic effect

– Fragrant and pollinator-friendly

– Site selection: Prefers an open, sunny location but tolerates some light shade

– Soil requirements: Best in moist, well-drained soils, but highly adaptable — tolerates clay, loam, sandy, and rocky soils

– Soil pH: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral (pH 5.5–7.0)

– Planting depth: Plant at the same depth as in the nursery pot

– Spacing: Space 5–8 feet apart for hedging or individual spacing in orchards

– Mulching: Apply 2–3 inches of mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds

– Best time to plant: Spring or early fall

– When: Late winter to early spring while dormant

– How: Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches; thin older stems to encourage renewal

– Maintenance tip: Can be grown as a shrub or single-stemmed small tree depending on desired form

– Requires regular watering during establishment (first 1–2 years)

– Once established, becomes moderately drought-tolerant, though regular moisture enhances fruit production

– Avoid waterlogged sites

– Full sun is best for fruit production and dense growth

– Can tolerate light shade, but fruit yield and flavor may be reduced

– Harvest time: Late June to early July (varies by region)

– Pick berries when fully deep blue and soft to touch

– Use fresh, or freeze for long-term storage

– Great for pies, jams, syrups, smoothies, and baking

– Not heavy feeders – apply balanced organic fertilizer or compost in early spring

– Avoid high nitrogen, which can reduce flowering and fruiting

– Self-fertile, but cross-pollination from other Amelanchier cultivars can increase yield and berry size

– Pollinated by bees and other insects

– Vaccinium (Blueberry) – similar soil preferences and harvest season

– Ribes spp. (Currant/Gooseberry) – for diverse berry harvests

– Rosa woodsii – native rose with good wildlife value

– Achillea millefolium (Yarrow) – attracts beneficial insects

– Cornus sericea (Red-twig dogwood) – for winter interest and habitat support