Black Chokeberry

Aronia melanocarpa var. elata

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Shrub
Plant Family: Rosaceae
Plant Description: Upright, multi-stemmed shrub native to the eastern United States. Dark-green glossy leaves turn wine-red in winter. Clusters of small white flowers bloom in May and are followed by black astringent berries. Berries are edible and have been used to make jams and jellies, but are best left to the wildlife. Tolerates a wide range of soil types.

Maintenance:

Maintenance Type: Shrub - Thinning
Plant Care: Shrub - Thinning (woody multi-stemmed plants that lose their leaves every winter and look best on older stems): Prune dead, diseased, or rubbing branches. Pruning is best done in late winter to early spring for most shrubs. With spring blooming shrubs, prune after the blooms are spent. Remove up to 1/3rd of the overall shrub, keeping older branches to build up a sturdy, permanent and picturesque framework. Keep in mind that these shrubs bloom directly on older wood or on shoots that come off old wood. Monitor for pests, diseases, or other ailments on a regular basis.

Plant Attributes:

Mature Size: 5-6' tall and wide
Utah Native: No
Plant Select: No
Pollinator Friendly: Yes
Localscapes: Perimeter Plant, Foundation Plant
Foliage Interest: No
Foliage Colors: Dark Green, Green
Bloom Colors: White
Bloom Seasons: Late Spring
Bloom Period: May - Jun

Growing Conditions:

Hardiness Zone: 4 to 9
Light Requirement: Full Sun (6+ hrs sun), Part Shade (4-6 hrs morning sun), Part Sun (4-6 hrs afternoon sun)
Irrigation Requirement:     Low (1/2" every 10-14 days)
Salt Tolerant: Unknown
Deer Resistant: Yes

Garden Location:

  • Irrigation Path
    • Fragrance Garden
    • Irrigation Hardware
  • Spring
  • Summer
  • Fall
  • Winter