Serviceberry Lane was created in 2021 as a memorial for Jan Knauer Horton, an early board member for Friends of the Garden and an avid birder long involved with the Greater Ozarks Audubon Society.

Single-trunk serviceberry trees were selected to line this walkway welcoming visitors from Ozark Greenways’ South Creek Trail because more than 30 species of birds are known to enjoy feasting on the trees’ summer berries. These deciduous trees, which also stand out for their white spring blossoms, add to the bird habitat within the gardens, including the nearby Audubon Bubbler that provides spring water as the centerpiece for berry- and nut-bearing plants.

Serviceberries are nontoxic for humans and were commonly eaten by native North American Indian tribes, but are not recommended for dogs to eat.

A relatively small, understory tree, the downy or common serviceberry (Amelanchier arborea) will grow to a height of 15 to 25 feet at maturity. Attracting bees as well as birds, they are considered a good choice for pollinator gardens.