Aronia Chokeberry for Health and Year-round Beauty

Spring flowers, colorful fruit and brilliant red fall color make aronia, also known as chokeberry, a welcome addition to any landscape.

This native shrub is hardy in zones 3 to 9, grows in full sun to partial shade and once established tolerates wet to dry soil. Its adaptability makes it a perfect candidate for a rain garden.

The spectacular red fall color is comparable to that of the invasive burning bush. Aronia’s flowers and fruit add to its ornamental and wildlife appeal.

The astringent black fruit are higher in antioxidants than blueberries and are considered one of the super foods along with kale. They’re credited for reducing blood pressure, inflammation, risk of heart attacks and more.

The berries can be found in juices and food supplements at the supermarket. Cooks are including these fruits in jams, jellies and desserts and others are fermenting them into wine.

A bit more information: Several dwarf cultivars increase the opportunities for adding this year-round beauty to the landscape. Low Scape® Mound grows 12-24” tall and wide, making it perfect for the front of the border or container garden.