Amelanchier laevis
'Cumulus'
Cumulus Serviceberry
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A beautiful ornamental that gives a bright contrast to any landscape. Whether it be through the flowering season of spring, the vibrant berries of summer, the autumn foliage colour or the interesting bark and branch colour in the winter, this tree adds significant ornamental interest to a landscape.
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Family |
Rosaceae |
Genus |
Amelanchier |
Species |
laevis |
Cultivar |
'Cumulus' |
Category |
Woody |
Type |
Tree (deciduous) |
USDA Hardiness Zone |
4 - 8 |
Canadian Hardiness Zone |
4a - 4b |
RHS Hardiness Zone |
H7 |
Temperature (°C) |
(-39) - 21 |
Temperature (°F) |
(-38) - 70 |
Height |
8 - 9 m |
Spread |
5 - 6 m |
General Description |
The Amelanchier laevis ‘Cumulus’ is a short tree with white, fragrant, glabrous pediceled flowers that are showy but short lived, which produces red pome berries. The berries turn black later in the season. The tree has deep red and brown, smooth, and striped bark. |
Landscape |
Amelanchier laevis ‘Cumulus’ is a great specimen tree or shrub depending on the intended purpose. It looks great in parks, gardens and can be grown in tight spaces because it grows quite upright. |
Cultivation |
Prefers full sun or partial shade, moist soil, and regular pruning helps with the aesthetic. Prefers pH levels between 6.0 – 8.0 with clay, loam, or sand for soil medium and is semi-resistant to air pollution and salt contents. |
Shape |
Upright growing, pyramidal and oval profile with white flowers covering the entire canopy in spring. |
ID Characteristic |
The flower, fruit, and bark are the three main features of the Cumulus Serviceberry are key when identifying. The flowers are clustered, with white, separated oval shaped pedals, yellow centres, and small, black stamens. The berries are red, dark purple, or black, depending on the season. The bark of the stems is red-brown with horizontally staggered beige stripes. |
Pests |
Occasional rust spot, power mildew, and fire blight may occur. |
Habitat |
Horticulture origin. |
Bark/Stem Description |
The bark on the stems is a red-brown colour with horizontally staggered beige stripes. |
Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
The buds of the leaves are silvery and fuzzy and are shaped like an arrowhead with yellow tips. |
Leaf Description |
The leaves are green and ovate in shape with dentated margins. |
Flower Description |
The flowers are clustered, with white, separated oval shaped pedals, yellow centres, and small, black stamens. |
Fruit Description |
The berries are red, dark purple, or black, depending on the season. They are oblate and round in shape. |
Colour Description |
Flowers are consistent white during the spring. The fruit will slowly change from red to a near black. The bark will turn grey when matured. The leaves will turn red in autumn. |
Texture Description |
The texture of the Cumulus Serviceberry is medium. |
Propagation |
Propagation temperature is around 21°C (70°F). Propagation occurs best when seeds are fully formed and green. The seeds must be placed in pots outdoors before they harden. 4 weeks of warm weather followed by a winter cold spell. Germination will occur in the spring. Once germination occurs, they can be placed in a permanent spot once 20 cm tall or more. |
Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
The berries are edible and can be used for jams and pies. |