Amelanchier alnifolia 'Regent' is a deciduous shrub that delivers a remarkable dual performance: showy white flowers in early spring followed by dark purple-black berries that ripen by June. Hardy across zones 2 through 7, this multi-stemmed native shrub grows 4 to 6 feet tall and wide, thriving in full sun to partial shade with moderate water and minimal fuss. The berries taste remarkably like blueberries and can be eaten fresh, preserved into jams and jellies, or baked into pies, while also attracting birds to your garden.
Partial Sun
Moderate
2-7
72in H x 72in W
—
High
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The 'Regent' cultivar delivers everything a northern gardener could want in a spring shrub. Delicate white flowers clustered in compact arrangements appear before the leaves unfold in April, creating an ethereal display. Within weeks, those flowers transform into abundant edible berries that shift from pale green to deep purplish-black, offering both visual appeal and a sweet harvest that birds eagerly seek out. The finely-toothed, oval leaves emerge pale and darken over the season, providing understated foliage interest long after bloom time passes.
The berries are the main attraction here. Harvest them fresh off the branch for immediate eating, or collect them for kitchen projects like homemade jams, jellies, and baked goods including pies. The shrub itself serves ornamental purposes in the landscape, with its spring flower display and summer fruit production drawing attention and wildlife to garden spaces.
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Berries ripen to dark purplish-black in June, signaling peak eating quality. Harvest by hand, simply plucking the fruit directly from the branches once they've achieved that deep purple-black color and feel slightly soft to gentle pressure. You can eat them fresh immediately or collect larger quantities for cooking. Birds will also be harvesting alongside you, so pick berries as soon as they reach full color to maximize your yield.
Remove root suckers as they appear to maintain a cleaner, more tree-like form rather than allowing the shrub to develop a thicket of stems. Prune immediately after flowering in late spring if you need to shape the plant or remove crossing branches. The natural habit is multi-stemmed, so pruning is more about management than necessity unless you prefer a specific form.
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