Aronia arbutifolia – Red Chokeberry (B&B.DR.DRG.H.M.OP)

Ecosystem Services:
(B)-Birds                                             (B&B)-Birds & Butterflies

(BTF)-Butterflies                             (BW)-Black Walnut Resistant

(DR)-Deer Resistant                      (DRGHT)-Drought Resistant

(EC)-Erosion Control                    (EVR)-Evergreen

(FC)-Fall Color                                 (FRG)-Fragrant

(GRD)-Groundcover                      (H)-Host plant

(HMR)-Hummingbirds                (M)-Mammals

(MTH)-Moths                                   (N)-Nectar

(NB)-Native Bees                            (NST)-Nesting Material

(OP)-Other pollinators                 (RR)-Rabbit Resistant

(SHWY)-Showy                                (SPC)-Specimen Plant

The Red Chokeberry is a native, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub with multi-season interest. It is found in wet and dry thickets in Eastern Canada and the Central and Eastern United States.

It typically grows in a vase-shaped form to 6-12’ tall and 3-6′ wide but tends to sucker and form colonies. The plant has a stiff and upright habit with a fibrous root system. It is best used in mass planting as it tends to become leggy with age. The Red Chokeberry is easily grown in average, medium moisture soils. It has a wide range of soil tolerance, including boggy soils. It is recommended that root suckers be removed to prevent colonial spread. The best fruit and flower production occurs in full sun.

Spring brings clusters of white to light pink flowers. The leaves are green and glossy throughout the summer and turn orangish-red or purple in the fall. Bright red pear-shaped berries appear in the fall and may persist through the winter. The bark is reddish-brown and adds interest to a winter garden.

The berries are tart and bitter. Red Chokeberry’s fruits can be used to can or make jams and jellies. Jellies are heavy, sweet, and solid due to the abundance of pectin. The Red Chokeberry can be eaten raw and is more palatable than the Black Chokeberry. Birds tend to leave them alone, so berries remain on bushes, providing ornamental value.

Host plant for the Coral Hairstreak and Praeclara Underwing.  Drought Resistant!