The osoberry is a shrub I’ve always admired because it is very early to bloom and its mode of growth, with early perky new growth and pretty white drooping flowers, says spring is here like no other native plant. I added one to my native plant garden in April of 2020. It isn’t big enough to bloom yet, but it has settled in and grown well.

I see pictures of these shrubs online that have dozens of berries, but I’ve hardly ever seen a berry on any of the plants I’ve been around. I don’t know if that is timing or birds! But they are edible for humans, too.

Future plans for this plant are to pamper it a bit and hope it reaches its full glory in a year or two so it can herald spring for me and hungry pollinators!