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The genus Amelanchier has about 25 described species, and an equal number of names. The most common of the common names are serviceberry, juneberry, shadbush, shadblow, and saskatoon (West Coast name), but the plant is known by monikers such as pigeonberry, sugar pear, sugar plum, and currant tree as well. In the recent book “The Serviceberry” by Robin Wall Kimmerer, she explains that the more common names a plant has, the more important it is, or has been, to human culture. The botanical Latin nomenclature system was developed to give people a common language to speak about plants, which is extremely helpful when discussing similar plants that may occur in different locations and called different names by local peoples.
The etymological lore surrounding the serviceberry hints at a rich history of human interaction with this plant. The name “serviceberry” has at least two legends: the one I learned first was that the flowers bloom at the same time ground is thawed enough to perform burials that could not be done over the winter. Another story suggests the name stuck because the flowers bloomed at the same time traveling preachers were able to travel again to provide religious services. The names “shadbush” or “shadblow” are also related to the plant’s bloom time- the white flowers appear at the same moment shad run in Northeastern rivers.
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Amelanchier species run the gamut of cultural conditions. Some can survive on dry, rocky out slopes while others prefer swamps and bogs, but the majority prefer the middle ground of well-drained moist soil like woodland edges, creek banks, and shrubby hillsides. At least 35 species of birds eat Amelanchier fruit, and at least 12 species of mammals use the fruit, twigs, or foliage. Although the flowers are short lived, bees and other insects rely heavily on this bloom window for early season provisions.
Juneberries ripen near the end of June into July in the Northeast, but as it is a favorite of birds, if you want to try these delicious treats you must act quickly! In addition to fresh fruit, preserved juneberries were a critical part of Native American peoples’ diets; sun dried juneberries were turned into pemmican cakes and sausages. Nowadays, fresh juneberries can be cooked into jams or jellies, frozen, or fermented into wine. They are also an alternative fruit that can be used in any baked good like muffins, pies, or juneberry jam and ricotta blintzes.
| Amelanchier is a part of the rose family, evident by the flower morphology of 5 separated petals and 5 separated sepals with numerous stamens. The term “berry” is botanically incorrect as the fruits are pomes, just like apples or pears (also in the Rosaceae family!). But “servicepome” or “junepome” doesn’t quite have the same ring to it, so let’s forgive this classification transgression in favor of poetic licensing. | | | | Amelanchier grandiflora ‘Forest Prince’ (2000-NP360) | | As a tree or multi-stemmed shrub, Amelanchier provides four season interest in the garden. In late-April they are topped with white flowers that can be described as billowy, fleecy, and cloud like. The leaves can be susceptible to leaf spot during the summer, but the disease is not usually harmful to the productivity of the plant. Straight species Amelanchier leaves have a varietal fall display, but they generally contribute an orange to deep red hue to the garden. Once the leaves fall, the smooth, silvery bark is on display until the next leafing out. | | |
Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’ is a very popular and easily obtainable cultivar that displays an increased disease resistance to leaf spot while also maintain good tasting fruits and promises a more consistent fall display. If planting Amelanchier for your own palette, be sure to check the edibility of the fruits because some lose that quality when bred for other characteristics like a fastigiate habit.
Serviceberries bloom at the same time as the Callery Pear (a weakly branched ecological disaster) but provide more benefits for wildlife and humans alike, so I encourage you to seek out Amelanchier species and consider introducing this delicious, beautiful, and life-sustaining tree in your gardens. There are two new specimens planted next to the Cow Barn that echo the three planted across the field several years ago. Although the bloom period has past at the Arboretum, keep an eye out for fruits in the coming weeks!
| | Amelanchier x grandiflora ‘Autumn Brilliance’ | | Jessica O'Callahan, Grounds Supervisor | | |
In the Habit of
Spring Planting
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We are fully embracing Spring at Bayard Cutting Arboretum. For the past 2.5 years we have been wrapped up in building our Visitor Center. Construction, exhibits, parking lot designs, and overall logistics kept us occupied! This is our first Spring with the Visitor Center open which has allowed us to focus on the priority list we’ve built over the past few years. It almost became a joke when we would say, “We can tackle it after the Visitor Center is complete.” Well, that time has come and those projects are getting crossed off the list!
If you’ve seen our parking lot, you know we have been busy planting. We had over 80 trees and shrubs delivered from 3 nurseries all in one week. We received trees from Pennsylvania, Maryland, and upstate New York. They range greatly in size, habit, texture, and color. Out of the 34 species delivered, 20 are brand new introductions to our collection. My favorite introduction is Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium). This specimen came from Raemelton Nursery in Maryland. It is a deciduous, flowering tree with a shrubby habit. In late April it blooms stunning white flowers with colorful yellow to red centers. Being such an uncommon tree, I particularly look forward to seeing the unique fruit later in the season. We planted the Yellowhorn next to the Cow Barn by the farm as it is a pollinator and bird lover!
| | A running theme this year was focusing on unique tree habits. We lost an Eastern Redbud (Cercis canadensis) in the Four Season Garden last fall. Redbuds are a significant design element to the garden, especially this time of year. It was important to find a replacement of similar size, habit, and scale. Rosedale Nursery in upstate New York had the perfect specimen. When we visited last fall, we tagged a few other trees with unique habits. We planted a Paperbark Maple (Acer griseum) with a multi-stem form in the Holly Walk. I love how the multi-stem habit celebrates the beauty of the red, flaky bark. We also planted a multi-stem Sourwood (Oxydendrum arboretum), a habit we’ve never seen before in this species! I cannot wait to see the delicate white flowers and vibrant fall color. It is the perfect entrance tree to the Woodland Garden. | | We planted 23 conifers in the last two weeks. Many of these were to complete projects throughout the landscape. A bulk of the trees came from a specialty conifer nursery in Pennsylvania. We’ve received trees from Half Moon Nursery for the past decade and we’ve always been impressed by the quality of specimens. Typically these trees are extremely large and mature. This is perfect for completing projects because often we need to plant trees to match scale to the surrounding area or garden. One of my favorite conifers we planted this year is at the base of the Conifer Garden. It is a Silver Fir (Abies alba 'Pyramidalis'). By the name, you can guess the habit is upright and narrow! Not only is this a rare cultivar, but its mature size is unbelievably impressive. At over 18 feet tall, this tree was difficult to transport and plant. Our Conifer Garden has a showcase collection representing species from all over the world. The Silver Fir’s narrow habit and impressive size makes it a seamless addition. | | Our Grounds Supervisor, Jessica keeps joking every time we plant a tree, two more show up from a nursery. In addition to the large tree deliveries, we’ve been receiving orders from local nurseries. It has been a very busy month! We planted over 80 specimens in two weeks with more to come! I appreciate everyone’s hard work and dedication. Somedays feel hectic and exhausting but I cannot describe how wonderfully rewarding it is to work alongside such passionate horticulturalists. With the addition of our new Visitor Center and growing educational programs, we have experienced substantial growth over the last year. The past month served as a wonderful reminder of how everything is connected through horticulture and our hard-working gardeners. I encourage you to appreciate the efforts of our committed staff in addition to our remarkable tree collections when you visit the Arboretum. | | Joy Arden, Landscape Curator | | |
CSA Farm-Grown Cut
Flowers Available
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Farmer Mike, alongside staff and volunteers, has worked hard to bring you fresh-cut, spray-free, and dye-free flowers from the Arboretum's CSA Farm.
These specialty blooms are perfect for brightening your home or gifting to a friend or loved one. Stop by the Visitor Center to pick out your bunch and bring a little farm-grown beauty home! Limited quantities available. The Visitor Center is open 9AM-4PM Tuesdays thru Thursdays and 9AM-5PM Fridays thru Sunday.
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The bleeding hearts (Lamprocapnos spectabilis) are
leading the blooms in the Royce Rhododendron Garden!
Angela Noh, Horticulturist
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SAVE THE DATE
Bayard Cutting Arboretum’s Annual Fundraiser
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Fields & Flavors at the Farm: Take a stroll on the farm and savor the flavors of the season for this unique tasting experience.
August 9, 2025 from 6pm-8pm
| | | North Shore Art Guild: Simple Joys | |
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Manor House Annex: May 1 - May 25, 2025
Artist Reception: May 4, 2025 1 PM - 3 PM
The North Shore Art Guild was established in 1991 and continues to welcome, support, and promote artists of all levels throughout Long Island. Our mission is to inspire and promote creativity through showcasing seasoned artists and introducing our new and upcoming members to the community. We include artists working in a variety of mediums and encourage exposure and growth through exhibitions, workshops, and demonstrations. Our exhibition Simple Joys is made up of artwork that has touched the hearts and experiences of the artists represented. They have recreated special moments or feelings that brought them joy or happiness and interpreted them in personal and unique ways.
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Join certified forest therapy guide, Linda Lombardo of Wild Heart Nature Connection, on a walk to reconnect with the natural world around us. Typically the first Saturday of the month!
Saturday, May 3 - 10:30AM to 12:30PM
Saturday, June 7 - 10:30AM to 12:30PM
Saturday, July 12 - 10:30AM to 12:30PM
Fee: $45 per person.
Please wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and warm clothing for walking outdoors. Register here!
| | Find More Educational Programs on our Website! | | Help Support Bayard Cutting Arboretum | |
Tax deductible donations can also be made by check payable to
Natural Heritage Trust and mailed to
Bayard Cutting Arboretum, PO Box 907, Great River, NY 11739
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