Just starting to flower now are the Shadbush Serviceberries in the Native Woodland Garden on the east face of Bobst Library. Serviceberries are believed to have been on Manhattan island in 1609 when Henry Hudson arrived in New York Harbor, marking the start of European settlement of the area.
NYU Garden Shop Plant of the Week
By NYU Head Gardener, George Reis
Shadbush Serviceberry (Amelanchier canadensis) Schwartz Plaza Native Woodland Garden, 70 Washington Square South
Just starting to flower now are the Shadbush Serviceberries in the Native Woodland Garden on the east face of Bobst Library. Serviceberries are believed to have been on Manhattan island in 1609 when Henry Hudson arrived in New York Harbor, marking the start of European settlement of the area. Serviceberries have a distinctive smooth gray bark that is attractive in winter. The Serviceberries you see in the Native Woodland Garden are straight species, that is, the species as it occurs in nature.
Around the corner, in the containers in front of Bobst, you'll see two other Serviceberries, but those are cultivars, or selected varieties, named 'Autumn Brilliance.