Aronia arbutifolia aka Red Chokeberry

Aronia arbutifolia, or red chokeberry, belongs to the rose family. This shrub loses its leaves each fall. Its native range spans eastern Canada and central and eastern America. It grows in dry thickets, on slopes, and near swamps. Most garden plants reach 6–10 feet [1.8–3 metres] tall. They spread 3–6 feet [0.9–1.8 metres] wide. Some sources give heights of 12–15 feet [3.7–4.6 metres]. Several upright stems form a narrow, vase-like shape. Root suckers can spread into broad colonies over time.

The bark is brown to reddish brown, with small lenticels. Older bark may develop splits shaped like diamonds. Slender twigs bear fine hairs and reddish buds. Simple leaves grow in an alternate pattern along the stems. They have oval shapes and fine teeth along their edges. Their green upper faces contrast with pale, fuzzy undersides. Small dark glands mark the upper leaf midrib. Fall leaves turn red, orange, or purple before dropping. Older shrubs can become sparse near the base.

Small flowers open in clusters during spring, from April through June. Bloom dates vary among the cited gardens. Each flower has five white or pale pink petals. Butterflies and other pollinators visit the flowers for nectar. Red pomes ripen from late summer into early fall. These small fruits cluster along the branches and last into winter. Birds and mammals eat them during the colder months. Birds may choose other fruits before taking these pomes.

Grow red chokeberry in full sun or some shade. Sun gives the best bloom, fruit crop, and red fall colour. It grows slowly and needs little routine care. Average soil with moderate moisture suits it well. It also accepts clay, boggy ground, and brief flooding. Established plants tolerate dry sites as well as wet ones. Sources place it in USDA zones 4–9. Remove root suckers where spreading colonies would crowd nearby plants. Groups suit borders, woodland edges, rain gardens, and pond banks. Its roots also help hold soil on banks.

Serious pest and disease trouble is uncommon, but problems can occur. Watch for leaf spots, twig blight, and fruit blight. Roundheaded apple borers can also damage the shrub. Deer may browse it. The fruit is edible raw or cooked, but tastes tart and astringent. Cooking it into jam or jelly makes use of its pectin. Dried fruit is another reported food use. Plants for a Future lists no known hazards.