Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia)
Estimated Height at Pickup: 2-3’, 3 gal
A striking shrub for moist soils! Berries are bright red and often remain on bushes through fall and into winter. Forms upright, multi stemmed bushes with bright fall color. Berries are edible but uncommonly eaten by humans. These bushes have an “airy” form, making them excellent at adding structure to a planting without shading out other plants, but not suitable for a visual barrier. Will sucker to form a small thicket if allowed.
Pollination: Self pollinating.
Light: Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Soil Moisture: Wet, Wet Mesic
Soil Type: Loam, Humus, Peat
Height: 6’-10’
Width: 3’-4’
Bloom Color: White, Pink
Bloom Time: April
Fruit: Bright red berries mature in late summer.
Fall Color: Orange, Red
Root Type: Fibrous
Notable Wildlife Interactions: Flowers are visited by beetles and likely small bees. Hosts a few small insects. Berries provide good winter food for birds including cedar waxwings, thrushes, bobwhite, chickadee, thrushes, and bluebirds.
Notes: Emphasis on the wet soils for this one, and can grow on water edges. Light suckering habit, but doesn’t generally cause problems. Berries are not often harvested, but purportedly make a good tart jam.