The cedar waxwings have arrived and that means my serviceberries are ripe enough to harvest now. Honestly, this is the only time we see cedar waxwings in our garden. Guess they have a very discerning palate which we do not cater to through the rest of the growing season.
But the cedar waxwings have competition as robins, evening grosbeaks, western tanagers and a host of other bird species also love to feast on the berries. The branches on our serviceberry tree, Amelanchier x grandiflora 鈥楶rincess Diana鈥�, positively dance as the birds alight to feast.
Amelanchier has more common names than there are days in the week: shadberry, shadbush, Juneberry, prairie berry, pigeon berry, Saskatoon berry, sarvisberry, sugar plum, sugar pear, Indian pear鈥nd the list goes on. However you want to call it, this is definitely a plant worth growing.
Fifteen of the 20 species in this genus are native to North America. Most grow 13 鈥� 20 feet tall, making them useful as understory plants against tall trees. They are tolerant of most soil conditions and are happy in either full sun or filtered shade. Masses of delicately petalled, white flowers adorn the multi-stemmed plants in early spring, providing the earliest pollinators with a valuable food source at a critical time. As I mentioned, the small fruits start to ripen in June鈥t least on our Amelanchier x grandiflora. Apparently, Amelanchier alnifolia fruits ripen in August, so there is likely a range of harvest dates amongst the different species. (Amelanchier alnifolia is native to the Pacific Northwest.)
Interestingly, the small, purple-red fruits are more correctly called a 鈥減ome鈥�. Their seeds are wrapped in a thin, paper-like casing like those in apples, rather than embedded in the flesh like a grape. And they are delicious鈥f slightly seedy.
Good for you too. Nutritionally, they have more calories, protein, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamin C, iron, and potassium than blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Their colour also tells us they are high in anthocyanins, those healthy flavonoid compounds which are beneficial against chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.
The fruits can be used in most recipes which call for blueberries and currants. These include: muffins, scones, bread, cakes, pies, tarts, jams, sauces, wine, cider, and liquors. They can also be dried.
Speaking of feast, our garden is rich in flowers this year. John is proclaiming it the Year of the Flowers. Definitely, the bees are happy. Not to sound corny, but the garden is quite literally buzzing with a myriad of different bee species. Some I have not seen before so it will be a challenge to identify them all.
Amongst some of the flowering plants worth mentioning are the hardy geraniums. I have talked about this perennial plant genus in past columns but they merit exposure again. At the top of the 鈥減lus list鈥� is their drought tolerance, as well as pest and disease resistance. We have yet to find any problems on any of the over 40 different species and cultivars we have in our garden. Quite a remarkable feat when you think of the problems occurring on other plants.
Of particular note, I can highly recommend Geranium psilostemon, also known as American cranesbill. Provide this one with a peony ring to support its tendency to flop and ramble along the ground and you will be rewarded with a three by three foot display of magenta flowers accented with a deep purple throat.
Other geraniums of note, in no particular order, include: G. renardii, G. sanguineum, G. pratense, and G. x 鈥楯ohnson鈥檚 Blue鈥�.
Hey, I have just learned that amelanchier berries will continue to ripen after picking! Just like apples. Where鈥檚 my harvest basket? I see more cobblers and muffins in our future.
