Black Chokeberry - Aronia melanocarpa cv. - €9 per plant  

An attractive fruit bearing shrub that grows well in partial shade making it a good option for the forest garden. The fruit can be dried to make a herbal tea and used as a flavouring or colourant for beverages or yogurts. The berries have their own unique flavour and in addition to juice they can be baked into soft breads and are known for their antioxidant properties. This plant suckers freely once established and can be used in the shrub layer of a windbreak.  To order this plant please contact us [email protected]. 

Context

  • native region: E.America 
  • native habitat:Swamps and low woodlands, it is sometimes also found in drier soils
  • family: Rosaceae

Predators

  • If grown in the open the berries are vulnerable to bird predation 
  • No serious disease or insect problems.

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi-shade or no shade
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4a - 8b
  • Mulch with compost and keep weed free whilst plant establishes 
  • Water when dry in summer  
  • Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus

Polyculture Potential  

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Overview


  • Deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m by 3 m. 
  • In flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from Oct to December. 
  • The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.
  • Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. 
  • Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. 
  • Can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. 
  • Prefers dry or moist soil.

Characteristics

  • form: medium sized shrub
  • layer : Shrub Layer
  • habit: a multi stemmed, suckering, deciduous shrub forming large colonies and spreads 
  • height x width (m): 2.5 x 2.5
  • productive life span: 10-15 years 

Products 

  • Fruit: Berry; Oct-Dec, The fruit should be fully ripe before being eaten and are best after a frost or two. Fruits are high in Pectin.They are an excellent natural source of vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and even dietary fibers.
  • Yield: Unknown
  • Flowers: July - August  providing nectar for insects  
  • Understory ground cover 

Functions, behaviours

  • animal dispersed seed
  • easy to propagate by dividing suckers once the plant is established.
  • self pollinating 
  • Very flood tolerant. 
  • Suckers profusely. 
  • Intermediate food source for birds
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project