Nowadays, the serviceberry is generally no longer planted in the garden as it used to be with a focus on using the edible fruits. It is therefore hardly surprising that when the leaves are colored bright red, many hobby gardeners find good advice expensive.
Why does my serviceberry have red leaves?
Red leaves on a serviceberry can be caused by variety-specific characteristics, seasonal change in color, drought stress or diseases such as pear rust and fire blight. To help the plant, you should eliminate drought stress, remove infected branches or provide constant water supply.
Autumn color or copper rock pear?
If red leaves suddenly appear on a rock pear, there can be various reasons for this:
- variety-specific feature
- seasonal recoloring
- Drought stress
- Illness
One of the most popular varieties of rock pear is the so-called copper rock pear, precisely because of the magnificent red color of the leaves. Their leaves not only turn a striking red in autumn, but also show a copper-like red tone when fresh leaves emerge. Other rock pears also get intensely red leaves when autumn makes itself felt. However, this autumnal change of color does not always have to follow the calendar exactly. Sometimes red leaves are actually symptoms of disease that require special care.
Drought stress causes premature heaving
It is not uncommon for serviceberries to begin to gradually turn completely red in the middle of summer. This can be related to weather phases that are characterized by heat and extreme dryness. It is true that rock pears can survive such conditions without any problems if they are not additionally watered. However, it can very well happen that the plants are stimulated to premature autumn due to drought stress. In such a case, you should water the affected plants extensively and ensure a more constant water supply in the following year.
Red leaves as a symptom of disease
If the leaves have a mottled surface in various shades of red instead of a visually attractive red color, this can be an indication of the presence of a fungal infection. Rock pears are relatively often affected by pear rust. This mainly occurs when service pears and juniper are too close together, as the juniper acts as an intermediate host. Infected branches should be cut out and disposed of along with the autumn leaves.
Tip
Fire blight can occur not only on grafted pears, but also on a rock pear. It requires immediate measures such as cutting out affected plant parts and destroying the removed plant material without the possibility of contaminating other plants.