Aronia melanocarpa
Common Name(s):
Black chokeberry
Aronia berry
Synonym:
Photinia melanocarpa
Chokeberry
Flower:
White
Blooms :
May
to:
May
Showy, white, 5-petaled, many stamens
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
YES
Family:
Rosaceae
Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')
Foliage:
Dark Green
Showy, dark green, glossy leaves up to 3" long, finely toothed margins
Fall Color?
YES
Dark red leaves and black fruit
Deciduous
Photo by:
Heading 6
Clusters of black fruit that attract birds
Oregon Native?
NO
West State Native?
NO
Origins:
Eastern North America
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
3
Water Needs:
M
Sun Needs:
Shade
Deer Resistant?
NO
Firewise?
YES
Height:
3-6'
Spread:
3-6'
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Low woods, swamps, bogs, moist thickets
Soil:
Average, well-drained, clay, loam, sandy
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Light top dressing of compost in spring
Mulch:
1-3" orgainic mulch (wood chips, shredded bark, or compost) applied in spring
Provide adequate moisture, remove sukers, unless spreading is desired
Long Term:
Winter:
Apply mulch if not done in fall, provide protection from deer
Spring:
Apply slow release balanced fertilizer, prune to shape and remove dead areas, remove suckers
Summer:
Water as needed, light pruning if needed
Fall:
Harvest fruit if desired or leave for birds, provide consistent deep watering if dry, mulch with 1-3" layer of shredded bark or compost
General Care Comments:
Plant in full sun, provide adequte moisture, light pruning if needed
Common Problems
Poor air circulation, tendency to sucker and spread
Diseases:
Powdery mildew, leaf spots, twig/fruit blight, cedar-quince rust
Insects:
Lace bugs, spotted wing drysophila, cherry fruit worms, Japanese beetles, clearwing borers
Environmental Problems:
Because Aronia suckers, it may spread into unwanted areas
Pests:
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