Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa)

Black Chokeberry

(Aronia melanocarpa)

Linda N. from Chicago, USA

CC BY 2.0

Image By: Linda N. from Chicago, USA

Recorded By:

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Aronia melanocarpa, commonly known as Black Chokeberry, is a deciduous shrub native to wet woods and swamps, as well as dry sandy woods and grasslands of eastern North America, including regions from Canada to the central United States, and from Newfoundland west to Ontario and Minnesota, extending south to Arkansas, Alabama, and Georgia. It typically grows to a height and width of 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 meters). Black Chokeberry is characterized by its glossy, dark green leaves that turn a striking red or purple in the fall, contributing to its ornamental value. The plant produces clusters of white to light pink flowers in late spring, which are moderately showy and give way to purplish-black berries by September. The berries are astringent when raw but can be used in jellies and wines.

Black Chokeberry is valued for its multi-season interest, including spring flowers, edible fruit, and vibrant fall foliage. It is commonly used in naturalized areas, as a border shrub, or for erosion control due to its suckering habit. It is also planted for wildlife as the berries provide food for birds. This shrub is adaptable to a range of soil types, from wet to dry, and prefers acidic soils. It thrives in full sun to part shade and requires medium amounts of water with good drainage. While it is easy to propagate by cuttings, it can also spread by suckers, which may require management in a garden setting. Black Chokeberry is generally disease-resistant but can be susceptible to leaf spots and rust.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Shrub
Height: 3-6 feet
Width: 3-6 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: White
Flowering Season: Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun, Part Shade
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Erosion Control, Fragrant, Low Maintenance, Street Planting, Water Garden

Natural Habitat

Wet woods, swamps, and dry sandy woods

Other Names

Common Names: Sortfrugtet Surbær, Aronia Gueules-Noires, Aronia Noir, Aronie À Fruit Noir, Aronie À Fruits Noirs, Gueules Noires, Svartaronia

Scientific Names: , Aronia melanocarpa, Aronia melanocarpa var. elata, Photinia melanocarpa, Pyrus melanocarpa, Sorbus melanocarpa, Aronia nigra, Aronia melanocarpa var. subpubescens, Pyrus arbutifolia var. nigra, Pyrus arbutifolia var. melanocarpa

GBIF Accepted Name: Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott