Serviceberries (also known as Juneberries) have been making a major comeback lately, and for good reason! Back in the day, people mostly planted them for their fruit, but they eventually fell out of fashion. Nowadays, gardeners are falling in love with them all over again for their stunning looks. If you’re thinking about adding one to your yard, here’s the lowdown on how much maintenance you’re actually looking at.
Watering Your Serviceberry
Just like any new addition to your garden, you’ll want to give your serviceberry a deep soak right after planting. This helps the roots settle in so the tree doesn’t dry out while it’s getting established. Once it’s settled, though, this plant is incredibly low-maintenance. It can handle long dry spells like a pro! If you hit a real heatwave in mid-summer with no rain in sight, a little supplemental water won’t hurt.
Just be careful not to overdo it. Serviceberries are much more sensitive to “wet feet” (standing water) than they are to a bit of drought. By the way, if you notice brown spots on the leaves, don’t assume it needs more water. Usually, that’s a sign of a common garden ailment, such as:
- Powdery mildew
- Fire blight
The one exception to the “low water” rule is if you’re growing your serviceberry in a pot. Since container plants can’t reach deep into the ground for moisture, you’ll need to water them regularly. Just keep the helpings small, and make sure your pot has great drainage to prevent root rot.
Pruning Tips
For the most part, you can put the shears away! Serviceberries have a naturally beautiful growth habit and grow pretty fast on their own without any help. In fact, older trees really don’t appreciate a radical “haircut”—it can take them years to bounce back from a heavy pruning.
The only real reason to prune is if you’re trying to train the tree into a specific shape, like an obelisk. If that’s your goal, you’ll want to start shaping it while the plant is still young.
Fertilizing Your Serviceberry
One of the best things about serviceberries is how easygoing they are. They aren’t picky about soil and will even grow in shady spots or nutrient-poor ground. Plus, they are naturally fast growers. The only “boost” they really need is a little bit of mature compost mixed into the soil when you first plant them. After that, you can pretty much sit back and enjoy the view!
