Last year, I didn’t get a picture of the “Autumn Brilliance” serviceberry while it was in bloom, and vowed not to let that happen again.
I was all set to make a post showing just how quickly the blossoms fade, and darn it all if they haven’t lasted for the past 5 days!
Unlike last year, when they came and went within 12 hours, the blooms this year have been prolonged by (I presume) the cold and damp weather that’s been alternating with warm and damp weather the past couple of weeks. They’re just about done now, though, and I hope we still get a bumper crop of berries for the birds come June.
On the Shores of Lake Chicago 
Posted by Monica the Garden Faerie on April 30, 2009 at 7:50 am
I love the serviceberry. Pioneers used its blooms to know when the ground stopped being frozen so they could bury the people who had died through the winter! Canadians make a nice tea from it, Saskatoonberry tea. Plus, you know, it’s a really cute tree. 🙂
Posted by lakechicagoshores on April 30, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Ooh, I drink loads of herbal tea, and didn’t know I could do that with the serviceberry! So do they use the berries or the bark? And I agree with you that it’s a very cute tree.
Posted by rosemarie on May 1, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Very Pretty – I wish my blooms lasted longer too. I hope they’re still there tonight when I get home!
Posted by linda on May 4, 2009 at 8:17 am
So pretty! We have a shrub form, not sure if it’s a native or cultivar, but it’s one of my favorite shrubs. The blooms usually last about 7-10 days, but they got beaten up by all the rain this year. It held onto its blooms for about 5 days. I don’t know if the blooms last so long because of its variety or because it’s planted in a very sheltered area. Either way, the birds are crazy for the berries.
Posted by lakechicagoshores on May 4, 2009 at 9:13 am
Wow – that’s great that your blooms last so long! This year was the longest-lasting one to date, so perhaps as it matures it will stay prettier longer.
Posted by Lisette on May 2, 2013 at 2:51 pm
The berries are delicious and very edible. We picked them right off the tree and ate them last year!