Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

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Photo:

Pat Kolling

Black Chokeberry

Latin Name:

Aronia melanocarpa 'Autumn Magic'

Taxon ID#

9 MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

3 Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

M

Soil Preference:

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well drained soils. Plants have a wide range of soil tolerance including boggy soils.

Fertilizer Needs:

Recommended Mulch:

Family:

Rosaceae

Origins:

Plant Type:

Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')

Native to Missouri east to Newfoundland

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Dark Green

Foliage Description:

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

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

White

Flower Description:

5-6 flowered clusters of white 5-petal flowers in spring

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Purple/red fall color

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

Mature height:

3-6'

Mature spread:

3-6'

Growth rate:

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

no

Native Habitat:

Low woods, swamps, bogs, moist thickets.

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Used by Wildlife:

yes

Hedge/Screen:

no

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

Edible fruits

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

no

Windbreak:

no

Cover Structures:

no

Ground Cover:

no

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

no

Adds Texture/Movement:

yes

First Bloom:

May

Last Bloom:

May

Ornamental Accent:

yes

Garden Observations:

Looking healthy, no sign of root damage from tunneling critters - vibration stakes installed.

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

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 Care:

Cut suckers. Shallow hoeing around black chokeberry roots prevents suckers from growing and controls weeds.

Fall Care:

Cut suckers. Shallow hoeing around black chokeberry roots prevents suckers from growing and controls weeds.

Winter Care:

Long Term Care:

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.

Insect Pests:

Wildlife Pests:

Diseases:

Environmental Problems:

Landscape Problems:

Care Comments:

Don't cut black chokeberry branches to just above a fork because the shrub won't resprout from that area. It resprouts from only buds along a length of branch or stem. Leave as many branches on the shrub as possible to encourage bushiness.

RESOURCES

OSU Landscape Profile:

https://landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu/plants/aronia-melanocarpa

USDA Plants:

https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ARME6

Calscape Database:

LBJ Native Plant Database:

https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ARME6

Missouri Botanical Garden Database:

https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=262961&isprofile=0&

Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Black Chokeberry

​

​

Latin Name:

Taxon ID#

9

MAINTENANCE

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

3

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

M

Soil Preference:

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well drained soils. Plants have a wide range of soil tolerance including boggy soils.

Fertilizer Needs:

​

Recommended Mulch:

​

Family:

Origins:

Plant Type:

Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')

Native to Missouri east to Newfoundland

Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Dark Green

Foliage Description:

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

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

White

Flower Description:

5-6 flowered clusters of white 5-petal flowers in spring

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Purple/red fall color

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

​

Mature height:

3-6'

Mature spread:

3-6'

Growth rate:

​

LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

no

Native Habitat:

Low woods, swamps, bogs, moist thickets.

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Photo:

Pat Kolling

Used by Wildlife:

yes

Hedge/Screen:

no