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Chokeberry (Aronia) is the name for 3 species of Aronia: Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), Purple Chokeberry (Aronia atropurpurea), and Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa). Aronia belongs to the Rosaceae or Rose Family and is a deciduous shrub growing to 4 ft. in height. It is valuable as a garden shrub with white spring flowers, followed by attractive berries in midsummer, and shiny green leaves that are very colorful in autumn. Berries are rather bitter even when ripe.
Chokeberry can be grown in just about any soil, but will thrive best in moist soil with a sunny location. Propagation is by seed.
Some Chokeberry species are sometimes listed under the genus Pyrus (Pear) and Prunus (Cherry). It is frequently mistaken as "Chokecherry" which is "Prunus virginiana," a shrub or small tree growing to 30 ft. in height with white flowers and red berries that are eaten raw or used in winemaking.
The images shown above are of the Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) and were photographed in Bernheim Forest, Kentucky on July 4, 1999. This is the species which produces the seeds offered by the GreenDealer Exotic Seeds selection of Fruits & Nuts.
Black Chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa, is winter hardy in Zones 4 - 9.
© 1999 Michael King
