Purple Chokeberry - Aronia prunifolia - €15 per plant 

Purple Chokeberry is a hardy deciduous shrub that suckers freely to form large colonies. The plant produces an abundance of small berries in the autumn that when cooked make great tasting jams and dessert filling. This plant is a good choice for a larger garden with an area designated for wildlife, where the plant can roam freely. The plant can tolerate wet conditions making it ideal for pond side planting and areas with poor drainage.  To order this plant please contact us [email protected]. 

Context

  • native region: E.America 
  • native habitat: Low woodlands
  • family: Rosaceae

Pest and Predators

  • No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to leaf spots and twig/fruit blight.

Needs, tolerances 

  • Light: Semi-shade or no shade
  • soil pH:  Acid, neutral -basic alkaline 
  • USDA Hardiness Zone: 4a - 8b
  • Prefers well drained soil 
  • Withstands wet conditions

Known hazards

  • None known

Overview

  • A deciduous Shrub growing to 3m  by 2.5 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. It 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 spreading.
  • height x width (m): 3 x 2.5
  • years to bearing fruit: 3-4 years  
  • 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.

Functions, behaviours

  • Animal dispersed seed
  • It tends to sucker
  • Good under-story shrub
  • Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus
  • This species is probably a naturally occurring hybrid, A. arbutifolia x A. melanocarpa
  • Ability to withstand wet conditions makes it suitable for growing on the margins of ponds or streams. Also effective in naturalized areas where its suckering, colonial growth habit does not need to be restrained.
If you would like this plant please send an email to [email protected] with your order. 
Balkan Ecology Project