The native Allegheny serviceberry will attain heights of 15 to 25 feet in the Illinois garden. White flowers cover this small tree/large shrub in mid-spring. However, they are delicate, and an early spring storm can quickly send them cascading to the ground. Foliage emerges with a bronze-purple tinge as the flowers fade but become dark green when fully open. Dark purple fruits ripen in early summer and are quickly devoured by birds. Fall color ranges from yellow to orange to red.

Members of the genus Amelanchier offer four seasons of interest -- small white flowers (occasionally pinkish) in spring, edible berries in early summer, attractive foliage color in fall and interesting bark/branch structure in winter. Common names for amelanchier include juneberry and serviceberry and refer to the blueberry-like fruit edible by humans and much beloved by birds. The species range from small trees to large shrubs, usually multi-stemmed. Found at woodland's edge in the their native habitats, amelanchiers are best used in a naturalistic setting in the home landscape.

Amelanchiers are native to temperate areas of North America and, to a lesser extent, of Asia and Europe. The genus includes about 20 species; hybridization efforts have tended to focus on enhanced fall foliage color. The Chicago Botanic Garden's collection includes more than 30 varieties and over 450 plants.