PLANT TALK

By Barry Fugatt

ARONIA

Red & Black Chokeberry

      A debate rages within the gardening community over the use of native and non-native plant species. Some gardeners would like to see only native plants used. Others ardently resist the “native only” approach. Wisdom probably lies somewhere between the two extremes.  It’s clear, for instance, that the majority or gardeners will never forsake such wonderful Oriental species as crape myrtle, nandina and Japanese maples. It’s equally clear, however, that many native American species deserve a much wider planting in our gardens. The genus Aronia (chokeberry) quickly comes to mind.

     Two garden worthy species of Aronia:  Red Chokeberry (A. arbutifolia), and Black Chokeberry (A. melanocarpa), occur over a wide range of Eastern North America, including the nearby Ozark Plateau. Good News! Wholesale nurseries such as industry giant, Greenleaf Nursery near Tahlequah, are increasingly propagating and including chokeberries in their inventories. Look for improved varieties (cultivars) of red and black chokeberries in retail garden centers this spring. I grow both red and black chokeberries in my garden and it’s a toss-up as to which I like best.  Both are highly drought tolerant, fruitful and beautiful year round. In the spring they cover themselves with two inch clusters of tiny sweet scented flowers. Flowers are followed by lots of shiny green berries that mature over the summer, eventually turning bright red or black depending on the species.  By late fall deep green foliage changes to flaming red. ‘Brilliantissima’, Brilliant Red Chokeberry, is an improved red fruiting cultivar.  Its one of the few deciduous shrubs that can equal burning bush when it comes to great fall color. ‘Autumn Magic’, a new and improved black chokeberry cultivar, is destined for greatness among mid-size deciduous shrubs.  Its fruit set of small glossy black berries is excellent and its fall foliage also is outstanding. ‘Nero’ and ‘Viking’ were developed in Europe and they are renowned for setting huge crops of very large, edible black berries.  Look for ‘Brilliantissima’ and ‘Autumn Magic’ in nurseries this fall or next spring. ‘Nero’ and ‘Viking’ are not available locally. They may be mail ordered from Raintree Nursery:  www.raintreenursery.com. 

(click on picture to enlarge)

                 Brilliant Red Chokeberry            Spring Flowering Chokeberry            Summer Fruit of Red

                                                                                                                     Chokeberry

                                          Fall Foliage and Fruit                  Black Chokeberry Edible

                                            of Red Chokeberry

Common Name: Red Chokeberry

                            Black Chokeberry

Genus / Species: Aronia arbutifolia

                             Aronia melanocarpa

Flowers / Fruit: 1 ½ to 2 inch clusters of tiny sweet scented white flowers in late April. Red chokeberries mature in early fall, berries are approximately ¼ inch in diameter and persist well late into late winter. Black chokeberries mature in late summer, berries are large, 1/3 to ½ inch in diameter. Berries are tart but editable.

Form / Size: Medium to large deciduous shrubs with upright-oval shape. Red varieties reach a height of six to ten feet. Black varieties mature at five to seven feet.

Culture: For best flower and fruit set, plant chokeberries in full sun location. They can tolerate dapple light environment, however. Chokeberries readily adapt to most soil environments that are reasonable well drained.

Landscape Uses: Chokeberries are ideally suited for accent and specimen use in the garden. A single plant, or a group of three plants, looks especially nice near a deck or patio. They also add interest to a mixed shrub border where their spring flowers, summer fruit, and dramatic fall foliage attract lots of attention.

Superior Cultivars (varieties)

	‘Brilliantissima’ – Red Chokeberry
	‘Autumn Magic’ – Black Chokeberry
	‘Viking’ - Black Chokeberry, large fruit
	‘Nero’ – Black Chokeberry, large fruit