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It's Juneberry Time!

© Barbara M. Martin

Please note: Thank you for visiting my Cottage Garden topic and reading my columns, published here from February 1997 through spring 2003! This Cottage Garden column was written by Barbara M. Martin and is Copyrighted, including any photos, by Barbara M. Martin. It may not be altered or copied or published elsewhere in whole or in part without specific permission from the author. I regret I am no longer actively editing or contributing to this suite101.com topic as of mid-2003. Happy Gardening!

In June when the Juneberries (our native Amelanchier, aka Serviceberry, Shadbush, Sarvis tree and who knows what else) ripen, we are treated to spectacular live entertainment outside the living room window. The berries turn from green to red to a deeper purple and the riper they get the more wildlife they attract.

The above berries are not ripe yet!

Birds swoosh by air-show style hoping for a spot in the tree, the barn cats from up the road hang out and watch from a safe distance, while the resident garter snake rests in the cool shade below. I suspect that the possums and little field mice eat their fair share by moonlight, probably in the company of Mr. Skunk and with a wary eye out for the prowling gray fox!

Since our garden contains a wide variety of plants for nesting materials, shelter and food as well as many water features, there are always lots of birds and other small animals around, some of whom I hear but rarely ever see. So each June I am thrilled to glimpse the shy orioles as they visit that tree to eat the berries. Many other birds savor these particular berries, and they dine in never-ending succession, sometimes fighting each other for space at the table. But the chipmunks put on the best show of all. The tree appears to dance as they climb into it, bobbing the branch tips up and down while they scrabble greedily for the fruit.

After six years of watching this tree, I have just now finally beaten the critters at their own game and tasted a fully ripened berry. Well, make that six berries. Yes, I counted them. Delicious!

The berries (pomes) hang like miniature cherries but the soft interior texture is similar to a good blueberry with extra juice in it. The sweet, fruity flavor is close to old fashioned blueberry but mixed with a deeper richer tone, maybe blackberry and Concord grape on a hot summer afternoon. And I can now wholeheartedly recommend these berries based on personal experience rather than hearsay.

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