Homeowners are becoming increasingly demanding in the benefits derived from plants purchased from nursery personnel. The red chokeberry, Aronia arbutifolia, meets this challenge by satisfying myriad consumer whims.

Red chokeberry kicks off spring with white flowers in April-May while the leaves are just beginning to unfurl and expand. Foliage is lustrous green and relatively pest free. Although some diseases and insects can be found reported in the literature, I have only witnessed slight leaf spot on the foliage during prolonged wet periods in the spring or summer. The leaves actually become more attractive with cold weather, changing to a brilliant reddish-purple cast in late October.

During this same period, small, 1/4-inch fruits ripen shiny red and persist well into the new year. You quickly see that aesthetic attributes exist most of the year from white flowers in April to bright-red pomes (fruit) into January or February. A cultivar, 'Brilliantissima,' merits attention for its propensity to bear more, larger and glossier red fruits. This selection also bears more flowers and has superior foliage that is stunning red in the fall. There is no doubt in my mind that its fall color rivals that of any Rhus or Itea. Like the species, 'Brilliantissima' is available in the trade.

Regardless of whether the species or cultivar is chosen, the fruits do attract some birds that provide another advantage for touting it as a wildscape plant. This would also work to the advantage of retailers who could tout the handsome fruits that persist for winter beauty. Although some literature suggests the fruits are so stringent that not even birds will touch them, my experience has been just the opposite. Also, some edible-landscaping catalogs are starting to promote red chokeberry, as well as its cousin, black chokeberry, A. melanocarpa, for their edible fruits for preserves and other types of foods.

A colonizing shrub

A. arbutifolia should be used en masse as the collective effect of glossy foliage and fruits (summer and fall) is stunning. This shrub tends to retain leaves only on the upper one-third to two-thirds of the plant, sometimes creating a leggy plant. Again, massing this shrub will help mask this inherent flaw. However, plants will sucker in time if not cultivated, making it unnecessary to plant these shrubs close together when a clumping effect is desired.

This colonizing-type shrub may grow to nearly 10 feet, but a span of 5-7 feet is more typical with a 3- to 4-foot spread. It prefers full sun but will tolerate some shade. Likewise, it is tolerant of most soil types and varying amounts of soil moisture. In its wild habitat, it often is found growing in forested wetlands. Thus, moisture and shade are tolerated if not welcomed to some degree by this species. It also, however, will tolerate dry conditions. As for insects and disease problems, you can read about several possible diseases occurring, but they are almost always reported to be minor in nature as well as aesthetically trivial to the eye.

A. arbutifolia may be seed propagated by using stratification for two to three months at about 35F. However, a high germination rate could be expected even in the absence of an artificial stratification period when seed is collected during cold weather. The species also roots readily from softwood cuttings treated with 4,000 parts per million indolebutyric acid solution and kept under mist for four to six weeks.

Aronia arbutifolia is not a rare shrub to find in the nursery or landscape. Still, red chokeberry could be used more often. Because this native is found growing wild or in cultivation throughout USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9, it is appropriate to cultivate for the majority of the United States.

SPECIFICS:
Name: Aronia arbutifolia
Common name: Red chokeberry.
Family: Rosaceae.
Hardiness: USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9.
Description: A colonizing shrub that grows to 10 feet tall with a 4-foot spread. White flowers in April, followed by 1/4-inch, red fruit into the winter. Foliage is glossy, showing brilliant fall color in late October. Tolerant of many soils, including wet sites. Fruits attract birds.
Uses: Excellent hedge or screen when planted en masse, with lots of seasonal color. No significant pest problems.

-- Mike Schnelle
Oklahoma State University, Stillwater

* Photo by Todd Johnson

© 1999 Branch-Smith Publishing