How big does Snowy mespilus grow?

About 6 m × 6 m after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 8–12 m × 6–9 m.

Is Snowy mespilus hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Snowy mespilus be planted?

Plant it at least 3.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 1.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Snowy mespilus be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 5 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 2 plants per metre.

How much water does Snowy mespilus need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Snowy mespilus cost?

It sells for roughly €11 to €160 in local shops, depending on size.

Snowy mespilus

Amelanchier lamarckii

Snowy mespilus (Amelanchier lamarckii) is a small tree that reaches 6 m × 6 m after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €11.

Illustration of Snowy mespilus — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

This airy small tree or multi-stemmed shrub brings white spring blossom, edible summer fruit and bright autumn colour. It suits specimen planting, wildlife gardens and informal hedges, although birds often take the fruit first. Allow room for its spreading crown and give it moist, well-drained soil, preferably without much lime.

Watch out for

Strongly alkaline soil can cause chlorosis, and prolonged summer drought may require supplementary watering. Fire blight is an important possible disease in Central Europe; powdery mildew, rust and leaf spots can also occur. Fallen fruit can soil paving, and root suckers need removing when the plant is trained as a tree. The official Hungarian list of invasive woody plants names the closely related Amelanchier × spicata, which may not be planted on public-use land; this species is not listed, but in western Europe (mainly the Netherlands and northern Germany) it has naturalised in woods on acidic, sandy soil because birds spread its seed, so do not plant it next to near-natural habitats.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 6 m × 6 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D April–May, white

Group	Small tree
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	6 m × 6 m
Ultimate size	8–12 m × 6–9 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	April–May, white
Harvest	June–July
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	yes
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 3.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 1.5 m
Litter	Fruit
Planting distance	500 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €11

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
30-50 cm	approx. €12
40-60 cm	approx. €17
50-70 cm	approx. €15
60-80 cm	approx. €12
70-100 cm	approx. €29
90-140 cm	approx. €11
100-140 cm	approx. €20
180-200 cm	approx. €140

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Hedge plants Plants for screening Small ornamental trees Plants that give shade Plants with autumn colour Plants with edible fruit Edible plants for screening

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Compare with similar plants

Snowy mespilus vs Common hawthorn Snowy mespilus vs Field maple