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Aronia arbutifolia
Red Chokeberry

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Red Chokeberry is a charming, multi-stemmed, deciduous woody shrub native to Atlantic and Southeastern states. It is found in swamps and wet places, and is therefore very useful for wet areas, but is happy in upland gardens as well and established plants even tolerate drought. This shrub is hard to beat for both aesthetic and wildlife value. It is six to eight feet tall (or taller if wet), and although each stem is slender and single, if given a little space it will colonize, assuming a vase-shape sillhouette in the garden. It is a very rewarding plant to have in several seasons, beginning with the sweet, fragrant spring flowers and all the critters attracted to them. Over time these flowers become bright red, persistent berries which, probably because they are astringent, persist well into the winter before becoming food for many birds. In the fall, the foliage takes on beautiful bright orange to yellow colors and interesting texture, the geater the available light, the more dramatic the color. Its exfoliating bark is attractive in winter with the accents of red berries. Red Chokeberry is easy to grow and trouble free. Although not invasive, it will require some control on its suckering habit — a very small price to pay fto have this outstanding plant.

Last Updated: May 15, 2019

Key Info

Scientific Name: Aronia arbutifolia (L.) Pers.
Common Names: Red Chokeberry
Family Name: Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Plant Type: Tree / Shrub
Uses: Shrub Border, Naturalizing, Pond edge, Mass planting, Informal hedge
Light Requirement: Full sun, Partial/sunny
Moisture Requirement: Dry, Wet, Medium, Moist well drained
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Bloom Times: Apr, May
Flower Color: White with bright red/pink prominent anthers
Special Characteristics: Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies, Drought tolerant, Good fall color, Attracts birds, Slow growing, Tolerates wet conditions, Edible fruit (in jams), Rhizomatous, Showy fruit, Flowers fragrant

Additional Info

Habit: Suckering, upright, open shrub with many slender individual stems not highly branched below.
Height: 6' to 8'
Spread: 3' to 4'
Growth Rate: Moderate to slow
Soil Conditions: Average to wet slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
Leaves: Alternate, oval-shaped leaves, medium to dark green, finely serrated, densely pubescent on the underside, impressive wine red to orange fall color
Flowers (or reproductive structures): Pinkish and delicate before opening, then white, five-petaled, with prominent bright pink anthers; frgrant.
Fruit: bright red berries in pendulous clusters that ripen in September/October and persist well into the winter
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: FACW
Pollination: Bees, butterflies, other insects
Wildlife Connections: The multi-stemmed habit is great cover for ground feediing birds such as Towhee, Thrush and Thrasher and small mammals eat the fruit.
Propagation: By seed.
Other Notes: Since it has such fine fall coloration, Aronia has been recommended as a highly desirable replacement for Euonymous alatas, Burning Bush, a highly invasive shrub of the Northeastern states.
USDA/NRCS Plant Distribution Map: View Map at USDA.gov
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Who we are

Cure Nursery is a small nursery propagating and selling native plants for the Southeastern U.S. We are located near the town of Pittsboro, Chatham County, in central NC.

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Cure Nursery operates by appointment only. Call us or email us to place an order for pick up or to arrange a time to come visit the nursery.

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