Amelanchier lamarckii F. N. Schroeder (syn. Amelanchier x grandiflora Rehder, Amelanchier canadensis hort.) (Rosaceae)
Native of North America, but not now known wild there, though close to A. laevis Wieg. Grown in Europe since the 18th C. and now naturalized in N. W. Europe from S. England to Holland, Germany and Sweden. It usually grows in damp acid woods or scrub on sandy soil, flowering in April or May. It makes a deciduous spreading shrub or tree up to 10 m, not suckering, with leaves copper-coloured on opening (at the same time as the flowers), silky-hairy beneath when young, colouring red or orange in autumn. Inflorescence lax, often nodding. Petals 10-15 mm long, oblanceolate, glabrous. Easily grown on acid or neutral soils, and seeding freely, the fruits being eaten by birds. Hardy to -25°C. Spring.
Most Amelanchier species are exceptionally reliable for autumn colour. Z4.