Tell the Coroner it was Mislabeled Berries That Did Me in

This spring after a bit of research on woody ornamental plants, I bought a serviceberry shrub (Amelanchier) for the backyard. The plant has lovely white flowers in the spring, beautiful fall foliage and is one of the best shrubs for attracting birds to your yard.

I regularly listen to Garden Talk on Wisconsin Public Radio, and some of the UW-Extension agents and other experts that appear on the show can’t say enough good things about serviceberry shrubs. The berries, called juneberries because they ripen in June, are tasty and nutritious. It can sometimes be hard to harvest any berries because the birds are crazy about them.

I didn’t think my new shrub would have any berries on it this year, but while making the rounds in my backyard the other day I saw a few hanging from the branches. I’ve read that you’re supposed to wait until juneberries turn purple before you pick them. At first glance I saw only red berries and pink berries. After a thorough look, I found two plump, purple ones just begging to be eaten. I pulled them off the shrub and popped them into my mouth.

As I was enjoying my berries a horrible thought jumped into my head. What if the garden center mislabeled my shrub and I was now swallowing something poisonous? I’ve unknowingly purchased dozens of mislabeled plants over the years. Could this shrub be my demise?

Well, there are worse ways to go. The berries were delicious. In my opinion they have more flavor than blueberries.

I have space in my newly-landscaped front yard for a few new shrubs. I may have to plant another serviceberry next spring……that is if I survive.