Posted by
ILPARW (southeast Pennsylvania - Zone 6b) on Nov 15, 2017 8:06 PM concerning plant:
Back in the 1970's the landscape designers discovered how wonderful serviceberry trees were and bought up the nursery stock of this Shadblow Serviceberry and the Alleghany Serviceberry, which were only sold as the straight species back then. The Shadblow usually has more stems and more slender ones than the other serviceberry tree species, giving a little finer texture. This shrub-tree species is still popular with landscape architects and designers. The average gardening public does not buy lots of Serviceberry trees of any species, too bad. Serviceberry is so awesome with its smooth gray bark, clean habit, neatness, handsome buds, pretty foliage, good fall color, and delicious berries, loved by people and birds. The berries taste sort of like cherry. This Shadblow species has a native range from Newfoundland to southern Ontario through New England down to northwest Florida & the edge of Louisiana to northeast Oklahoma to south & east Iowa through Wisconsin to northeast Minnesota.
Posted by
Catmint20906 (PNW WA half hour south of Olympia - Zone 8a) on Aug 8, 2014 2:18 PM concerning plant:
Amelanchier canadensis is a larval host plant for the Striped Hairstreak and the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Butterflies.
According to NPIN, this plant has special value to native bees and supports conservation biological control by attracting beneficial insects to the garden.
Amelanchier canadensis (Serviceberry) is also an important wildlife plant, with fruit and edible leaves that attract birds and other wildlife.
Posted by
mellielong (Lutz, Florida - Zone 9b) on Apr 10, 2015 3:25 PM concerning plant:
According to "How to Know the Wildflowers" (1922) by Mrs. William Starr Dana, the names for this shrub come from different sources. "Shad-bush" is because of it flowering at the season when the shad "run". "June-berry" because the fruit appears at the beginning of summer, and "Service-berry" because of the use made by the Indians. According to the book, the Indians gathered the fruit in great quantities, and after much crushing and pounding, made it into a sort of cake.
Posted by
gardengus (Indiana Zone 5b) on Jun 3, 2013 7:11 PM concerning plant:
A bush that everyone should consider. The berries are tasty just off the bush and birds love them too. I dry the berries and use them instead of currents in scones and also add them to granola.
I was introduced to this bush as a child and knew it as Indian-berry because it was highly prized and collected by the native Americans.
The bush has a very nice white flower early in the spring and often flowers with the red bud tree (look great planted together).
