Bayberries Keep It Green

Most of the leaves have fallen in Neperan Park, but there's still one large patch of green--a grouping of bayberry shrubs in the Native Plant Garden maintained by the Little Gardens of Tarrytown. These tall, dense bushes (technically known as Myrica pensylvanica) are semi-evergreen, which means they drop their leaves during really cold winters but may hold onto them during milder ones. Bayberries, which are native to eastern coastal areas, may seem like an odd choice for an inland park. But they were chosen by the garden's initial designer, Tarrytown's Carolyn Swenson, because they are salt-tolerant and thus could stand up to winter snow removal efforts. Bayberries are best known for their waxy fruits, which were used by colonists to make candles. However, the ones in Neperan have not produced fruit this year. Still, in cold months, they make a nice backdrop for the garden's red winterberries. And now's a great time to look at the shrubs, which have been extensively pruned, and their svelte, light gray legs.