Brilliant Red Chokeberry

Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima'

Plant Details:

Plant Type: Shrub

Plant Family: Rosaceae

Plant Description: This tall, vase-shaped deciduous shrub offers something different in every season. Pure white flowers bloom in early-spring followed by bright red berries that turn black in late summer. The berries are technically edible but, as the common name suggests, quite astringent and better left to the birds. Its glossy dark-green leaves are grey-green underneath and turn a brilliant red in the fall, making it one of the brightest plants in the fall landscape. 'Brilliantissima' grows slightly smaller than the species, which is native to the Northeast. Perfect for woodland borders or naturalized areas. Cold hardy and tolerates both wet soils and drought.

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.

Video: Thinning Deciduous Shrubs - Spring Cleanup

Plant Attributes:

Mature Size: 6-8' tall x 3-4' wide

Utah Native: No

Plant Select: No

Pollinator Friendly: Yes

Localscapes: Foundation Plant, Perimeter Plant

Foliage Interest: No

Foliage Colors: Green

Bloom Colors: White

Bloom Seasons: Spring

Bloom Period: Apr - May

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:

Moderate (1/2" every 7-10 days)

Salt Tolerant: Yes

Deer Resistant: Yes

Garden Location:

Maintenance Path
- Rain Gardening

Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter