Black Chokeberry
Black Chokeberry is graced with an abundance of beautiful white flowers with pink anthers, for several weeks in May. In autumn the vibrant leaf color is a major attraction, with tones of electric orange, red and burgundy …
| Soil Type | Clay, Loam, Sand |
|---|---|
| Soil Moisture | Dry, Medium, Moist |
| Sun Exposure | Full Sun, Partial |
| Height | 4' - 6' |
| Bloom Color | White |
| Bloom Time | May |
| Spacing | 3' - 6' |
| Hardiness Zones | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| Root Type | Fibrous |
| Benefits | Birds, Pollinators |
Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is graced with an abundance of beautiful white flowers with pink anthers, for several weeks in May. In autumn the vibrant leaf color is a major attraction, with tones of electric orange, red and burgundy. The multi-stemmed form with vase-shaped branching has a rounded top, and the mature size is typically around five or six feet tall. Black Chokeberry is a slowly suckering shrub and eventually forms a nice thicket — providing desirable shelter for a variety of birds. The blackish-purple fruits that persist thru the winter offer a feast for birds that return in early spring. The fruit can be used to make tasty jams and jellies, but is very astringent and extremely tart off the bush.
A dependable landscape shrub, Black Chokeberry can used in a shrub borders, or allowed to naturalize in an open wooded garden. In tighter spaces it can provide the perfect backdrop for low growing perennials and groundcovers. Its adaptability makes it suitable for the rain garden, as well. Either full sun or partial shade are best, and a wide variety of soil types are tolerated, including wet boggy soils.
This shrub is likely to be browsed by deer and rabbits. In areas where deer or rabbits are common, newly planted shrubs can be surrounded with a protective fence or netting until the branches are more developed.
