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Aronia prunifolia
Purple Chokeberry, Purple-fruited Chokeberry

Photo by Michael Jeltsch

Aronia prunifolia or Purple Chokeberry is a natural hybrid between A. arbutifolia (Red Chokeberry), and A. melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry), a more mountainous species. All three Chokeberries have very diferent distribution maps. Purple Chokeberry is much less abundant than the Red Chokeberry. It is much like Red Chokeberry in habit, that is, a deciduous, multi-stemmed, colonial shrub, and it also tolerates wet conditions, but is a bit shorter (5′-6′). Its flowers are slightly larger, the berries also a bit larger and a deep purple in color. It is true from seed in its geographic range but may cross with other members of the genus if nearby in the garden. Purple Chokeberry lends itself to mass plantings in an informal border where it provides spectacular fall foliage color and wildlife food. It is particularly useful in boggy swales or naturalized areas generally, where spreading can be unrestrained.

Last Updated: August 2, 2021

Key Info

Scientific Name: Aronia ×prunifolia (Marshall) Rehder, (pro sp.) [arbutifolia × melanocarpa]
Common Names: Purple Chokeberry, Purple-fruited Chokeberry
Family Name: Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Plant Type: Tree / Shrub
Uses: Shrub Border, Naturalizing, Hedge, Pond side
Light Requirement: Full sun, Partial/sunny
Moisture Requirement: Dry, Moist well drained
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Bloom Times: Jul, Aug
Flower Color: White with bright red/pink prominent anthers
Special Characteristics: Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies, Good fall color, Attracts birds, Slow growing, Edible fruit (in jams), Good wildlife cover, Rhizomatous, Tolerates drought, Showy fruit, Flowers fragrant

Additional Info

Habit: Upright open shrub with suckering habit; the stand consists of many slender, upright individual stems; slow growing and well behaved.
Height: 5'-6'
Spread: 4'-8'
Growth Rate: Slow
Soil Conditions: average to wet slightly acidic to slightly alkaline
Leaves: Oval-shaped leaves, 2.5 to 3 inches long, alternately arranged; dark green, finely serrated, whitish sparse pubescence beneath but less pubescence than A. arbutifolia; impressive fall coloration in reds, golds and purples.
Flowers (or reproductive structures): Five bright white petals with red/pink anthers; fragrant.
Fruit: Deep purple berries that ripen in October to December; do not persist into the winter
Natural Distribution: Balds, bogs, seepages, swamp forests. Moist woods and swamps but also upland sites; not coastal, but midwestern and northeastern U.S.
USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-7
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: FACW
Pollination: Bees, butterflies, other insects
Wildlife Connections: Butterflies and bees are attracted to the flowers, birds and small mamals eat the fruit. Good cover for ground dwelling birds and mammals.
Downside: No serious disease/insect problems. It may be susceptible to developing leaf spot and twig/fruit blight.
Propagation: In the wild, it spreads both by seed and also from suckers from the roots.
Other Notes: Resistant to Dry Soil, Wet Soil, Poor Soil, Salt. Best in naturalized areas where its suckering, colonial growth habit does not need to be restrained. Common name of chokeberry is in reference to the tart and bitter berries which are technically edible but so astringent as to cause choking in those who try.
USDA/NRCS Plant Distribution Map: View Map at USDA.gov
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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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