Amelanchier 'Ballerina'Juneberry

This cultivar was selected in the Netherlands and introduced in 1980. It grows as a large shrub or vigorous small tree, forming a semi-dense, broad and open vase-shaped crown. It generally reaches 4 to 6 metres in height and 3 to 5 metres in spread, acquiring with age a balanced and easily recognisable silhouette.

In spring, numerous loose, hanging clusters of white flowers cover the crown just as the young leaves emerge, bronze at first. The flowers are relatively large and the relaxed arrangement of the clusters follows the light architecture of the branches, creating a less compact, more naturalistic flowering.

Fruiting is one of its main attributes. During the summer, fruits of about one centimetre form, changing from purple-red to almost black. They are sweet and edible, as well as being an important resource for birds. In autumn, the dark green foliage turns to red, purple and reddish-brown tones.

It adapts to sun or partial shade and to different soil types, provided there is drainage and some water available during growth. It is very resistant to cold and wind. In Portuguese regions with hot summers, keeping the soil moist and protecting the tree from the most intense afternoon sun favour the quality of the foliage and the intensity of the autumn colour.

It can be used as a specimen tree, a small garden tree, a multi-stem feature or a component of naturalistic, biodiversity-oriented plantings. A mature specimen from Diaplant immediately brings a vase-shaped crown, well-developed fine branching and wood capable of sustaining expressive flowering and fruiting from the first cycles after planting.