Aronia arbutifolia
Red Chokeberry
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Product Info
Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
Rose Family
Red Chokeberry is a suckering, medium sized shrub with 4 season interest. In spring, clusters or bright white flowers attract a variety of early emerging pollinators with its abundant pollen and nectar. Leaves are a dark glossy green in summer, and change to brilliant reds and oranges for the fall. Fruit turns red in late fall and typically remains on the plant through the winter. Birds will eat the fruit as a last resort in lean, late winter months. It will sucker and spread freely if planted in its favored moist to wet soil in full sun, but can live in average garden soil in more shade as well. This is a very prunable plant–suckers can be removed easily if spreading is not desired.
Blooms: White, 2-4 weeks, March-April
Leaves: Dark, glossy green, orange-red in the fall
Height: 5-10’
Space: 4’
Soil: Average-Moist-Wet, occasional flooding
Exposure: Full sun- Part sun
Fauna: Berries for birds and mammals, early spring flowers, for bees, butterfly and moth host plant
Seeds: ¼” red berry clusters mature in the fall, edible for people and wildlife
Deer Resistance: Low
Zone: 3-9
Native Status: NC Native, common across the state
Provenance: North Carolina ecotype, seed grown