It still has a chance until it's dead.

Was it transplanted bare root, or container?

New plants have a watering schedule that starts out daily and progresses within a period of time to twice a week, and near the end of the first season to to once a week. Are you, or rain, providing something reasonably close to that?

It's only 20" tall .... not worth getting too bent out of shape about if it doesn't make it. If it doesn't, try again. If it's bare root, try a containerized plant instead, which you can more or less plant any time that you're willing to accommodate its watering schedule.

Rain alone is not going to be enough for a newly planted tree/shrub, especially in fast draining soil. Did you water it thoroughly for the first few weeks and consistently thereafter? (I prefer not to say 'schedule' because that sounds like a timetable. The 'schedule' should be when the plant requires it rather than what day it is.

if it was leafed out at planting ... then yes.. it is at least partly transplant shock .... and it wouldnt surprise me .. that minor shock showed up.. mysteriously .. around the time the heat of summer started ...

a pic would sure help ... so we could get a feel for how bad it is ... are the growth tips still green???

take a hand trowel.. and dig a couple 3 to 6 inch holes... AND FIND OUT IF ITS DRY OR DAMP at depth ... then water accordingly ...

back in the day ... when i really screwed up ... i had trees and shrubs lose all their leaves .. but if watering is proper.. releaf ... see link on proper watering ...

ken

https://sites.google.com/site/tnarboretum/Home/planting-a-tree-or-shrub

IME serviceberry is finicky while getting established. Mine was planted last spring and looks rough, really rough right now. I bet it will look good next year.

Too much water is worse than not enough.

Thanks for the ideas. Actually closer to 3 ft, and I checked and it is damp. Watered daily early on, now about 1x /week (we've had a lot of rain), but have checked soil several times and has been moist. Going to try to add some pictures:

It was a container plant from a local native plant dealer.

thanks to all this site is so helpful for us rookie gardeners

SB