Aronia melanocarpa
An eastern North American deciduous shrub with white spring flowers, red fall foliage, and dark, antioxidant-rich berries prized for juices, jellies, and wines.
Common Names
Black Chokeberry, Aronia, Chokeberry
Summary
Aronia melanocarpa is a native eastern North American deciduous shrub that typically grows 3–6 feet tall with an upright, multi-stem habit and glossy green leaves that turn red in autumn. It bears clusters of white flowers in spring, followed by dark purplish-black berries in late summer; fall foliage provides vivid red color, and berries are edible but very astringent raw, commonly processed into jams, jellies, or juices. The plant adds year-round interest and supports wildlife by attracting pollinators and providing food for birds.
Cultivation emphasizes full sun to partial shade and well-drained soils, with hardiness in USDA zones 3–8. Space plants 4–6 feet apart (10 feet between rows for fruit production); it is self-fertile, though cross-pollination with another cultivar boosts yields. Maintenance is low: prune lightly after flowering, remove dead or diseased wood, and manage suckers to control spread; pests are not a major problem and the berries can be harvested in late summer to early fall for jams, jellies, syrups, or juices. Common landscape uses include borders, hedges, mass plantings, rain gardens, and wildlife-friendly plantings.
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3-6 feet
Spread
36-72 inches
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3-8
Sunlight Requirements
Ideally full sun; tolerates partial sun or partial shade; best flowering and fruiting with at least six hours of direct sun daily.
Soil Type
Well-drained, moderately moist soil with a slightly acidic pH (about 5.5–7.0).
Soil Drainage
Well-drained soil
Soil pH
5.5-7.0
slightly acidic to neutral soil
Bloom Color
White
Bloom Time
Spring
Foliage Color
Dark green foliage that turns red to reddish-purple in autumn
Fall Foliage Color
Red
Leaf Lifecycle
Deciduous
Growth Rate
Slow to moderate growth rate, about 1 foot of new growth per year
Seasons of Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Propagation Methods
Seeds, Cuttings, Division, Layering
Attracts Wildlife
Attracts bees, other pollinators, and birds
Taxonomy
- Taxonomic Rank
- Species
- Author
- (Michx.) Britton
- Publication
- An illustrated flora of the Northern United States ; 1913 291 1913