Overview

Aronia arbutifolia is a bushy, suckering shrubs in the genus Aronia, part of the Rosaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Aronia arbutifolia grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden and wildlife gardens.

About

Aronia arbutifolia, called the red chokeberry, is a North American species of shrubs in the rose family. It is native to eastern Canada and to the eastern and central United States, from eastern Texas to Nova Scotia inland to Ontario, Ohio, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. Aronia arbutifolia is a branching shrub forming clumps by means of stems forming from the roots. Flowers are white or pink, producing black or bright red fruits. In the garden it prefers full sun and partial shade and most soil types. In UK gardens it is very hardy across most of the UK (RHS H6). Suggested uses include cottage and informal garden and wildlife gardens. It tolerates acid and neutral soils, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing, west-facing and east-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in sun or partial shade.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Aronia arbutifolia

About the genus

Aronia is a genus of deciduous shrubs, the chokeberries, in the family Rosaceae native to eastern North America and most commonly found in wet woods and swamps. The genus Aronia is considered to have 3 species. The most common and widely used is Aronia melanocarpa which emerged from Eastern North America.

Wikipedia contributors, "Aronia", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Aronia

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Aronia

Sunlight

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil type

Clay, Loam, Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H6

Plant details

Aronia arbutifolia size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Shrubs, Fruit Edible

Habit

Bushy, Suckering

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Cottage and informal garden, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Aronia arbutifolia

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, or propagate from suckers when plants are dormant

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions