Amelanchier Grandiflora Ballerina

Amelanchier x Grandiflora Ballerina

While Amelanchier grandiflora Ballerina provides its most stunning garden show early in the spring, this small tree has something to offer throughout the year, making it an ideal choice for gardens large or small.  A hybrid cross of two species of North American serviceberry, Amelanchier Ballerina is a beautiful flowering tree which will be one of the first in your garden to flower each spring. Even before it leafs out, in March and April Amelanchier x grandiflora Ballerina is covered in large white flowers, providing a spectacular early spring show. The leaves that then emerge are tinged with bronze. By June the red-purple berries are ripe; they are edible and very good for making jams, jellies and pies. They also will attract birds to your garden!  By then the leaves have turned to a dark green, and then in the autumn change to orange and red for a strong finish of colour. Even in winter, the graceful shape adds visual interest.

In its native North America, the serviceberry tree easily survives the cold winters on the Canadian prairies and its hybrids still have that resistance to the cold. The Ballerina Tree is fully hardy throughout the United Kingdom. It will take 10 to 20 years for Amelanchier x grandiflora Ballerina to reach its full height and spread of 4-8 metres. It requires little or no pruning to maintain its graceful shape.

While Amelanchier Ballerina is very cold-hardy, it does have some preferences in soil that will help it to give you the best possible show. Amelanchier x grandiflora Ballerina prefers sand or loam soil with an acid or neutral ph. The soil must be well-drained. It can be planted in full sun or part shade, with any aspect, and will do well in an exposed situation.

Amelanchier x grandiflora Ballerina makes a splendid show when underplanted with with early spring bulbs in a garden bed. Because of its year-round appeal, it makes an excellent specimen plant in a courtyard. Its small size at maturity means that it will fit in even a small city garden. 

On a larger country property, Amelanchier Ballerina can be used as a part of an informal hedge, or in a wildlife garden where its berries will attract birds. It can also be used in a mass planting for erosion control.

The Ballerina Tree combines its extreme winter hardiness with a breathtaking show of flowers in the early spring, making it an excellent choice for U.K. gardens and landscapes.