Bring natural beauty and resilience to your garden with the Red Chokeberry, a stunning deciduous shrub native to North America. This hardy plant features showy white flower clusters in spring, followed by brilliant red berries in autumn that persist into winter, adding seasonal color and feeding birds and pollinators.
Red Chokeberry is both ornamental and functional—ideal for hedges, wildlife habitats, erosion control, and natural landscaping. The berries are edible (though tart) and can be used for making jams, jellies, and juices rich in antioxidants. This low-maintenance shrub thrives in a range of soils and conditions, from full sun to partial shade.
Features
- Native Beauty: A North American native shrub that supports local wildlife.
- Seasonal Appeal: White spring flowers, red fall fruit, and colorful foliage.
- Wildlife Friendly: Berries attract birds, bees, and butterflies.
- Hardy & Adaptable: Grows well in various soil and light conditions.
- Edible & Nutritious: Fruits can be used for preserves, juices, or teas.
- Low Maintenance: Drought- and pest-resistant once established.
Specifications
- Scientific Name: Aronia arbutifolia
- Common Name: Red Chokeberry
- Plant Type: Deciduous flowering shrub
- Mature Height: 6–10 feet
- Spread: 3–6 feet
- Flower Color: White (spring)
- Fruit Color: Bright red (fall–winter)
- Foliage: Glossy green turning red/orange in fall
- Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Moist, well-drained; tolerates clay or sandy soils
- Soil pH: 5.0–7.5
- Watering Needs: Moderate; drought-tolerant after establishment
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9
- Germination Time: 30–60 days (cold stratification recommended)
- Growth Rate: Moderate
- GMO Status: Non-GMO
Planting Guide
- Cold stratify seeds for 60–90 days before planting (refrigerate in moist sand).
- Sow seeds ¼ inch deep in a seed-starting mix or directly outdoors in late fall.
- Keep soil moist but not soggy until germination.
- Transplant seedlings when they reach 4–6 inches tall, spacing 3–5 feet apart.
- Water regularly during the first growing season to establish strong roots.
- Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage fruiting.
Care Tips
- Mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Tolerates occasional flooding and dry periods once established.
- Remove older stems every few years to promote new growth.
- Protect young plants from deer or rabbits if wildlife pressure is high.