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Amelanchier laevis

Allegheny Serviceberry · Smooth Shadbush · Smooth Chuckleypear

Family RosaceaeGenus Amelanchier

A single oval finely toothed leaf laid against smooth gray bark marked with fine vertical striping
LeafRobert H. MohlenbrockPublic domain

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
treePlants of the World Online
Habit
Perennial, Shrub, TreePLANTS Database
Height
15-25 ft4.6-7.6 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
15-20 ft4.6-6.1 mExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
WhitePLANTS Database
Blooms
SpringExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Canada, lower 48 states, St. Pierre and MiquelonPLANTS Database
Hardiness zones
4-8Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Dappled Sunlight; Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), SandExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Moist, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Watering
Drought tolerance: MediumPLANTS Database

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; PLANTS Database — USDA NRCS; Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension.

Worth knowing

This source reports three treatments. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around April 17, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on April 16, 2026.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 84 days.

100% germination in 70–84 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Amelanchier p. 19Public domain
Show the original text
Amelanchier (Rosaceae). All seeds were WC 7 d, all experiments were conducted in the dark, and neither GA-3 or OT initiated germination. A. laevis germ. 70-40-70-40(100% in 10-12 w). Seeds started at 40 or 70 GA-3 largely rotted and did not germinate. Seeds DS 6 m were 97% dead and seeds DS 1 v were all dead. 1 A sanguinea germ. 40-70(3%)-40-70(56% in 2-30 d)-40-70 and 70-40-70-40- 70(3%)-40-70(26% in 1-7 w)-40(37%)-70(24% in 2-6 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Amelanchier p. 19. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 10, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 9, 2026.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    3 germinated in this phase.

  3. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  4. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  5. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  6. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

Steps after step 4 run on after germination.

about 9 months from start to step 4. Germination happens during step 4, in 30 days.

56% germination in 2–30 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Amelanchier p. 19Public domain
Show the original text
Amelanchier (Rosaceae). All seeds were WC 7 d, all experiments were conducted in the dark, and neither GA-3 or OT initiated germination. A. laevis germ. 70-40-70-40(100% in 10-12 w). Seeds started at 40 or 70 GA-3 largely rotted and did not germinate. Seeds DS 6 m were 97% dead and seeds DS 1 v were all dead. 1 A sanguinea germ. 40-70(3%)-40-70(56% in 2-30 d)-40-70 and 70-40-70-40- 70(3%)-40-70(26% in 1-7 w)-40(37%)-70(24% in 2-6 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Amelanchier p. 19. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around June 24, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on June 23, 2025.

  1. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  3. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  4. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  5. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    3 germinated in this phase.

  6. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  7. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    26 germinated in this phase.

  8. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  9. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

    24 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 8 run on after germination.

about 1.5 years from start to step 8. Germination happens during step 8; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

37% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Amelanchier p. 19Public domain
Show the original text
Amelanchier (Rosaceae). All seeds were WC 7 d, all experiments were conducted in the dark, and neither GA-3 or OT initiated germination. A. laevis germ. 70-40-70-40(100% in 10-12 w). Seeds started at 40 or 70 GA-3 largely rotted and did not germinate. Seeds DS 6 m were 97% dead and seeds DS 1 v were all dead. 1 A sanguinea germ. 40-70(3%)-40-70(56% in 2-30 d)-40-70 and 70-40-70-40- 70(3%)-40-70(26% in 1-7 w)-40(37%)-70(24% in 2-6 d).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Amelanchier p. 19. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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