Aronia (chokeberry) care

*Aronia melanocarpa* -- black chokeberry -- and *A. arbutifolia* -- red chokeberry -- are native North American shrubs belonging to the Rosaceae family. They are among the most cold-hardy fruiting shrubs available, produce ornamentally valuable white flowers in spring and brilliant fall foliage in.

Aronia melanocarpa — black chokeberry — and A. arbutifolia — red chokeberry — are native North American shrubs belonging to the Rosaceae family. They are among the most cold-hardy fruiting shrubs available, produce ornamentally valuable white flowers in spring and brilliant fall foliage in red-orange, and bear berries with high anthocyanin content. The berries are intensely astringent raw but make excellent juice, wine, jam, and syrup.

Despite the common name "chokeberry," aronia is not related to chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) — an entirely different species.

I don't grow aronia at my zone 7a Long Island garden, though A. melanocarpa is native to the eastern US. This guide is sourced from UMN and Penn State Extension.

Species identification

Per Missouri Botanical Garden:

• ***Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry):* Most commonly grown for fruit production. Height 3-6 feet; compact. Black fruit in clusters. Excellent fall color (red-orange). Tolerates wet soils. Zones 3-8.
• ***Aronia arbutifolia (red chokeberry):* Taller (6-8 feet), more open form. Bright red fruit. Also has excellent fall color. Zones 4-9.
• ***Aronia x prunifolia (purple chokeberry):* Hybrid between the two. Black-purple fruit. Less commonly sold.

For fruit production, A. melanocarpa and cultivars like 'Viking' and 'Nero' are most commonly used.