Melinda Myers

Black Chokeberry

Botanical Name

Aronia melanocarpa

Min Zone

3

Max Zone

9

Height

3 to 8 feet

Width

3 to 6 feet

Flowers

Spring: clustered, 5 petals, white

Fruit

Edible, purplish-black berry-like pomes

Fall Color

Red, purple, orange

Light

Full sun to part shade

Soil

Moist to wet, well-drained

Planting & Care

• Best fruit production in full sun
• Site near the back of the back of the border as plants tend to become leggy at the bottom
• Plants will sucker and colonize, prune out suckers if spreading is not desired
• Fruits are eaten by many bird species, usually in mid to late winter

Problems

None serious

Varieties

• Iroquois Beauty - 2 to 3 feet tall by 4 to 5 feet wide
• Mandshurica - more upright habit, deep green glossy leaves
• Autumn Magic - large fruit, excellent fall color
• Low Scape Mound - compact mound, 12 to 24 inches