Aronia melanocarpa 'Autumn Magic'
Black Chokeberry
Plant Family:
Rosaceae
Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')
Flower:
White
Blooms :
May
to:
May
5-6 flowered clusters of white 5-petal flowers in spring
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
No
Foliage:
Dark Green
Deciduous
Pat Kolling
Glossy. elliptic to obovate dark green leaves, 2-3" long, with finely toothed margins, black autumn berries that are blueberry size, and purple/red fall color
Oregon Native?
No
West State Native?
No
Native to Missouri east to Newfoundland
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
3
Water Needs:
M
Sun Needs:
Full Sun
Deer Resistant?
No
Firewise?
No
Height:
3-6'
Spread:
3-6'
Growth Rate:
Native Habitat:
Low woods, swamps, bogs, moist thickets.
Soil:
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well drained soils. Plants have a wide range of soil tolerance including boggy soils.
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Mulch:
Long Term:
Prune the black chokeberry shrub when it is 8 to 10 years old to improve its fruit production. Cut its branches and stems to 40 inches above the ground after the plant flowers. Repeat the procedure every four or five years.
Winter:
Spring:
Prune after it flowers. Prune black chokeberry stems and branches to encourage bushiness, cutting the shrub to 20 inches above the ground after it flowers. Flowering usually occurs in May or June. Prune each stem or branch just above a leaf node to avoid
Summer:
Cut suckers. Shallow hoeing around black chokeberry roots prevents suckers from growing and controls weeds.
Fall:
Cut suckers. Shallow hoeing around black chokeberry roots prevents suckers from growing and controls weeds.
Common Problems
Diseases:
Insects:
Also called: