Plants: Amelanchier lamarckii - muchovník lamarckov

A very beautiful, small, North American bush or tree that is attractive in all seasons, even in winter when its spreading crown of fine shoots makes a satisfying, dense, shrubby shape. In March the branches erupt with a froth of delicate star-shaped white flowers in lax conical heads, just as the coppery pink young leaves unfold. They are silky and first bronze, then maturing to dark green and finally turn orange, scarlet and crimson in autumn.

In July the tree is studded with dark red rounded berries which become purple-black and edible as they ripen. The Snowberry flourishes on light, fertile, moist but well-drained neutral to acid soil but is able to grow also on heavy and alkaline (chalky) soils such as clay. To train it as a standard tree select the strongest, straightest stem, removing all of the laterals up to 0.6-1.5m from the ground in winter. Alternatively, to train as a multi-stemmed tree remove stems that are growing too close together back to ground level. Noted for its beautiful autumn leaf colour, this upright-stemmed shrub or tree is an ideal specimen plant for a shrub or mixed border in full sun or part-shade. A simply stunning sight when in full bloom. A delightful street tree. Eventual height: 4-6m. Eventual spread: 6-7m.