Shadbush (Amelanchier) an undemanding bush that can be used as a hedge

You may start growing this beautiful tree until the first frosts hit. That’s right. Shadbush is still rather neglected bush which produces very tasty and sweet fruits and it is the sweet fruit why the popularity of shadbush increases. Growing shadbush is not difficult at all and if you trim it regularly, you can create a beautiful hedge out of it. Another advantage is its longevity. You can enjoy a sweet fruit-producing hedge for 40 to 50 years!

Site selection

Shadbush does not like too much sun, so choose a partial shade. Apart from this single requirement shadbush will not give you a hard time. Any average soil will do, as long as it is permeable and as long as it does not keep water puddles. When planting, however, you should add matured compost. Plant individual bushes about 3 meters apart.

Photo: Pixabay

Fertilizing and watering

Shadbush does not need a soil rich in nutrients so, you don’t need to fertilize it regularly. All you need to do is work in some compost into the surrounding soil from time to time. You can also use a fertilizer designed for ornamental trees if you like. Well-rooted bushes can withstand even droughts but if you can, especially during dry summer periods, water shadbush to help it out.

Resistance

Shadbush is a frost-resistant plant – even its flowers can withstand temperatures down to -6 °C so, you do not need to cover it or take care of it in any other way in the winter. Not even diseases or pests can seriously harm this bush! Only very rarely shadbush is attacked by fungi-like diseases or rust.

Fruits of the flycatcher

At the turn of April and May, shadbush begins to produce white flowers and quickly after that you will see fruit developing. The fruit is arranged into dark blue tassels. As the fruit ripen gradually, you can harvest gradually too. A welcomed advantage is the fact that the fruit remains on branches even if overripe. It will not drop down and will not make a mess around the tree.

Healthy fruits and their use

The fruit is very sweet and people use it as other common berries, blueberries for example. Berries are rich in vitamins A, B and C but they also contain antioxidants and phenols. For example, blueberries are often seen as a superfood, but in terms of manganese, potassium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium and calcium berries of shadbush are much richer. You can eat them as any berries fresh or you can make jams, syrups or even wine and spirits from them.

Preview photo: Pixabay