Russell Stafford
Family
Rosaceae
Botanical Name
Aronia arbutifolia
Plant Common Name
Red Chokeberry, Red Chokecherry
General Description
Spring finds the red chokeberry teeming with clusters of small white flowers, and the autumnal display of fiery red leaves and thousands of red berries that last well into winter is second to none. A mounding, deciduous shrub native to the eastern United States, it typically forms a thicket by sending out underground stems (rhizomes) that turn up and emerge to make new plants. Individual plants are narrow and upright, with a cluster of small, thin, dark brown branches that flare out into a leafy, rounded canopy. Leaves are slightly shiny and a medium to dark green with tiny teeth on the edges. Leaf undersides are gray and fuzzy.
By late spring, the branches are decorated with copious numbers of small, five-petaled white blossoms that are relished by honeybees. Pollinated flowers become bright red berries by fall that carry on the flaming show after the bright red foliage drops. The dense populations of fruit linger well into winter, since birds tend to favor other (better-flavored) fruits before visiting red chokeberry.
Plant red chokeberry in well-drained, acidic soils that are rich in organic matter for the robust growth that will lead to a massive thicket. It is quite adaptable to other soils and also is sound drought tolerance. In partially shaded locales the flowering and fruiting can be reduced, and the fall leaf color can have more orange tones. Full sun situations are best and lead to the boldest, retina-burning, bright red autumn foliage. Use red chokeberry in the mixed border, in wildlife gardens, as a stabilizing planting on a hillside, or alongside streams or lakes. Cut the berried branches for a pretty cutflower accent around Christmastime. The cultivar 'Brilliantissima' has much shinier leaves than the species, and its fall leaf color is consistently magnificent.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 4
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USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 9
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Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7
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Plant Type
Shrub
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
6'-10' / 1.8m - 3.0m
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Width
5"-8" / 12.7cm - 20.3cm
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Bloom Time
Late Spring
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Native To
North America, United States, Northeastern United States, Mid-Atlantic United States, Southeastern United States, North-Central United States, South-Central United States, Texas
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
