12/11/2023 0 Comments Downy serviceberry![]() Appearing in long clusters at the ends of the shoots, these emerge as the leaves unfurl. The plants are best known for their masses of small, delicate, star-like blossoms that cover the plants. The foliage provides exquisite Fall color. ![]() Usually at least 1¼ inch long, they’re paler underneath. The alternate, leathery, entire, partially toothed leaves, usually hairy on both sides, can be greenish-gray to greenish-yellow. In the wild, they’re often stunted, crooked, and quite picturesque. When grown in landscapes or in the open, these generally develop into a round crowned tree, often multi-stemmed. The furrowed, scaly, light gray to silver bark lends color to the landscape during the Winter months. In the wild, the plants can be difficult to identify because they readily hybridize. The graceful plants are relatively small – usually less than 35 feet or so in height. The amount can vary by species and location. When enough of the plants are available, they can yield a small crop of honey. Nectar and pollen from serviceberries help to build up colonies in the Spring. The delicate flowers of these spreading shrubs and small, much branched trees are welcomed by bees and beekeepers alike. The most common habitats are mountainsides, rocky slopes – especially dry ones, dry canyons, bluffs, clearings, woods, hillsides, and swamps. They’re found in Asia, Northern Africa, Europe, and North America. Worldwide, there are perhaps 25 or so species. ![]() A source of beauty year-round, they’ve earned a place in the bee garden. Also known as shadblow, sarvisberry, and shadbush, these trees and shrubs are members of the rose family. The snowy white blossoms of the native serviceberries are a familiar sight during the Spring in most areas of the country. Make Excellent Bee Plants by Connie Krochmal ![]()
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