Aronia arbutifolia
Red chokeberry is a Blue Stem favorite. Lovely white springtime flowers will be teeming with happy pollinators. Gorgeous color in the autmun that wins for looks, hands down, against the non-native, invasive burning bush.
Chokeberry shrubs often grow in a vase like shape which works well in both naturalized and cultivated settings. Aronia spp. produce fruit that is edible to both humans and wildlife. Per the common name, it is very bitter fresh from the shrub but these cook up into delicious jams, jellies, and desserts.
You will see the birds prefer to leave the majority of them on the bush until late in the season, giving them time to over-ripen. Bonus: Aronia berries are even higher in anti-oxidants than our beloved blueberries. This one is a real winner!
Plants can be purchased in-person or online (with in-person pick-up).
All online orders will be ready for pick-up 24-72 hours after purchase. You will receive an email to let you know when your order is ready. We kindly ask that you pick-up any orders within one week of purchase.
Aronia arbutifolia (Red chokeberry)
type: shrub sun needs: full sun, part sun/part shade water needs: average, moist height: 3-6' plant spacing: 5' distance bloom time: May bloom color: white Edible parts: fruit. The berries are are astringent tasting when raw but delicious when cooked, baked, juiced, or added to purees. A great source of antioxidants. Salt tolerant. Some salt exposure should not be fatal to the plant but some leaf burning may still occur. Deer resistant (please note that does not mean deer proof) Great fall leaf color Supports at-risk insects:
Host plant for:
Hessel’s Hairstreak (Callophrys hesseli)
Precious Underwing Moth (Catocala pretiosa)