Identifying species is most often finding one key that at least points you in the right direction.  You don’t want to have to go through all the native wildflowers to identify that Seaside Goldenrod.  Or every warbler to figure out what is making that sweet music.

When I teach plant identification, it is not about identifying every twig, or bark, or even form.  It is about learning what makes the plant jump out at you and remind you of its name.  For instance, you really don’t need to know anything about a native hawthorn except that the thorns are long and very sharp.  With our native Northern Bayberry, it is the smell of the leaf that makes it unforgettable.

Right now, the white flowers that you see on trees and shrubs will be a key to identifying Serviceberry.  If you see white flowers in the canopy of a forest, it is one of the tree forms of this very versatile native plant.  More often, you’ll see them on shorter shrubs along the side of the road or on edges of a woodland.

Whatever their form, Serviceberries are one of my favourite native plants.  They have many different common names, though their scientific name is Amelanchier.   Some of these include shadbush and shadblow (mostly in New England, as they flower when the shad are back in the streams); Indian pear or wild plum (because of their flavour); Junebery (for time of harvest in warmer places) in the west, they’re called Saskatoons (due to general location); and in Newfoundland and Labrador, they’re referred to as chuckley pears (just because!) 

This is my favourite Island fruit, bar none.  Some people don’t like them because they are seedy, but that is part of their charm.  It is a rich flavour, excellent for use in pies, cobblers, jellies, jams, or wine.  They can also be dried and stored.  For my taste, nothing beats them being picked fresh from the plant when the berries have turned a deep purple.  A wonderful treat from the wild.

Serviceberries tend to be slow growers but they can do well in a variety of conditions.  Since you’re looking for fruit production – which means you want lots of flowers in the spring – they need lots of light to thrive.  Like most species of native plants, they respond well to being in the proper habitat.  Some shading is okay but too much shading will give you lanky plants without much fruit production.  Other than that, they seem remarkably tolerant of conditions.  Our research into the krummholz systems on the north shore of PEI often finds Serviceberry growing with Crowberry, White Spruce, Northern Bayberry, Balsam Fir, and Spirea.  You have to be tough to live in that habitat.

While the fruit is very suited for human consumption, it is also highly valued by many species of wildlife for its high sugar content.  Many species of birds, including Cedar Waxwings, American Robins, and our increasing population of Northern Cardinals actively seek out the fruit. 

Additionally, it is beneficial for pollinators as it flowers so early in the year.  Bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and many other insects will visit Serviceberry flowers.  It is also one of our go-to plants for landscaping as it has so many positive characteristics.  I hope you get to meet one soon.