Red Chokeberry is a charming, multi-stemmed, deciduous woody shrub native to Atlantic and Southeastern states. It is found in swamps and wet places, and is therefore very useful for wet areas, but is happy in upland gardens as well and established plants even tolerate drought. This shrub is hard to beat for both aesthetic and wildlife value. It is six to eight feet tall (or taller if wet), and although each stem is slender and single, if given a little space it will colonize, assuming a vase-shape sillhouette in the garden. It is a very rewarding plant to have in several seasons, beginning with the sweet, fragrant spring flowers and all the critters attracted to them. Over time these flowers become bright red, persistent berries which, probably because they are astringent, persist well into the winter before becoming food for many birds. In the fall, the foliage takes on beautiful bright orange to yellow colors and interesting texture, the geater the available light, the more dramatic the color. Its exfoliating bark is attractive in winter with the accents of red berries. Red Chokeberry is easy to grow and trouble free. Although not invasive, it will require some control on its suckering habit — a very small price to pay fto have this outstanding plant.
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Thursday: 10-6, Friday – Saturday: 10-4, Sunday: 12-4
Aronia arbutifolia
Key Info
Scientific Name: Aronia arbutifolia (L.) Pers.
Common Names: Red Chokeberry
Family Names: Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Plant Type: Tree / Shrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Flower Color: White with bright red/pink prominent anthers
Special Characteristics: Attracts birds, Slow growing, Tolerates wet conditions, Edible fruit (in jams), Rhizomatous, Attracts bees, Attracts butterflies, Showy fruit, Drought tolerant, Flowers fragrant, Good fall color
Additional Info
Habit: Suckering, upright, open shrub with many slender individual stems not highly branched below.
Height: 6' to 8'
Spread: 3' to 4'
Soil Conditions: Average to wet slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
Leaves: Alternate, oval-shaped leaves, medium to dark green, finely serrated, densely pubescent on the underside, impressive wine red to orange fall color
Flowers (or reproductive structures: Pinkish and delicate before opening, then white, five-petaled, with prominent bright pink anthers; frgrant.
Fruit: bright red berries in pendulous clusters that ripen in September/October and persist well into the winter
USDA Hardiness Zone: 5 to 9
USDA Wetland Indicator Status in NC: FACW
Pollination: Bees, butterflies, other insects
Wildlife Connections: The multi-stemmed habit is great cover for ground feediing birds such as Towhee, Thrush and Thrasher and small mammals eat the fruit.
Propagation: By seed.
Southeastern Native Plant Nursery and Landscaping
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Thursday: 10-6
Friday and Saturday: 10-4
Sunday: 12-4
Sunday: 12-4
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Rachel’s Native Plants is located at The Plant
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