Chokeberry ( Aronia spp. (commonly Aronia melanocarpa)

Sun Needs:

• Full sun to partial shade
• Best flowering and fruiting in full sun
• Tolerates partial shade but may produce fewer berries

Bloom Time:

• Mid to late spring
• Clusters of small, white to pale pink flowers
• Followed by berries in late summer to fall

Size:

Height: 3 to 8 feet

• Black Chokeberry: 3–6 feet
• Red Chokeberry: 6–8 feet

Width: 3 to 6 feet. Upright, suckering habit.

Attributes:

• White spring flowers and glossy green foliage
• Edible, antioxidant-rich berries (very tart when raw)
• Brilliant red, orange, or purple fall color
• Tolerant of wet soils and urban conditions
• Supports pollinators and provides food for birds

Care Tips:

• Plant in well-drained to moist soil; tolerates clay and wet sites
• Water regularly during establishment
• Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds
• Prune in late winter or early spring to shape and remove suckers

Pest watch:

• Generally pest- and disease-resistant