Aberdeen, Scotland, UK.
Hello - I've been walking past this lovely shrub on my way to and from work for 2 years and want to put one or two in my garden which I'm currently renovating.
I've tried to identify it and wonder if it is a viburnum but it doesn't match the description of the more common ones I don't think.
In spring it has multiple delicate white flowers, in summer it has mid green leaves, and autumn these fiery leaves. I think it has black berries but can't quite recall. It's approx. 1.5m by 1.5m and has a nice shape.
Any ideas?!

It reminds me of a burning bush (Euonymus alatus), but they don't get black berries.

Could it be serviceberry?

Here is photo ofthe flower... it also makes berries

I agree that it looks quite like the burning bush now, although the flowers in spring aren't quite like the pictures I saw...
And the flowers of the serviceberry are more like it but not quite...
The flowers are clustered together and quite compact.
If we haven't figured it out by spring I'll send a picture of the flowers!
A burning bush or serviceberry would be wonderful if I can't figure it out either way!

Burning bush is invasive. If you are considering either ... lean toward serviceberry

ZeeJakes..welcome to the forums!

Please can you add close up pics to show the leaves.

Silversurfer said:ZeeJakes..welcome to the forums!

Please can you add close up pics to show the leaves.

Hello and thank you!
Yes will try to get some when I next walk past - I'm working night shift so at the moment always dark on my way to and from work!
Leaves hopefully not fallen off over next few days...
I have been looking at a lot of different service berry shrubs and increasingly think it is that...

I'm wondering if it could be an Aronia.. "Chokecherry".. not sure of the species or variety.

Silversurfer said:ZeeJakes..welcome to the forums!

Please can you add close up pics to show the leaves.

Hello and thank you!
Yes will try to get some when I next walk past - I'm working night shift so at the moment always dark on my way to and from work!
Leaves hopefully not fallen off over next few days...
I have been looking at a lot of different service berry shrubs and increasingly think it is that...

ZeeJakes said:


I have been looking at a lot of different service berry shrubs and increasingly think it is that...

Hmm!
In UK Amelanchier ...common name Service berry do not grow as that shrub is doing...they tend to be quite tall rather than dwarf and bushy.
Pics on www of short shrubs are cultivars that grow in USA rather than here in UK.
Without seeing the leaves it is rather hard to be accurate.

Silversurfer said:

Hmm!
In UK Amelanchier ...common name Service berry do not grow as that shrub is doing...they tend to be quite tall rather than dwarf and bushy.
Pics on www of short shrubs are cultivars that grow in USA rather than here in UK.
Without seeing the leaves it is rather hard to be accurate.

Thats very helpful as I had been looking at images online.
I will take photos on my way home from work - unfortunately it's dark and I think most of them have fallen off but hopefully it will help!
Thanks again

Sorry it's not the best! Dark a lot in Aberdeen now...
Leaves are approx. 1.5" long. Most of them have now fallen off. Stems are brown.

I think there are dwarf serviceberries and I have used a pruning shear to keep a small tree in check. Can you snatch a bit and take to a nursery or stick a note on the door inquiring and leave your phone #

Thanks for efforts...new pics are huge help.
I was pretty sure of my id from first pic...but needed proof.
I think I can now id this definitely Prunus incisa Kojo no mai.
It is very distinctive with the red autumn colour and the zig zag twigs.
In spring it will have many small white flowers with pink/red calyx.

I think there are dwarf serviceberries and I have used a pruning shear to keep a small tree in check. Maybe the same. Can you snatch a bit and take to a nursery or stick a note on the door inquiring about it and leave your phone #

MISSINGROSIE said:I think there are dwarf serviceberries and I have used a pruning shear to keep a small tree in check. Maybe the same. Can you snatch a bit and take to a nursery or stick a note on the door inquiring about it and leave your phone #

MISSINGROSIE You seem to have posted same comments twice...maybe you missed my last answer.

Sadly we do not have dwarf Amelanchiers here in U.K...yet
I love them and used to grow many different named cultivars.

I am 100% sure it is Prunus incisa Kojo no Mai.
Did you notice zig zag twigs in post no 14.?
The red leaves are also a good match.

MISSINGROSIE said:Burning bush is invasive. If you are considering either ... lean toward serviceberry

By the way Euonymus alatus..burning bush.... in UK is not the least bit invasive.
It is another shrub that turns a glorious red .
It has leaves that are opposite.
The flowers are tiny and easily missed.
But it has super red berries in the autumn.

Yes I think you might be right! From looking at images, the flowers aren't quite as I recall but the other aspects fit perfectly - particularly size of the shrub overall, leaf colouring through the seasons, leaf shape, autumn colour.

I really do appreciate all of you for helping out and either way, I will find a lovely shrub for my garden and I have learnt a lot from you all!