There are two species of importance in the genus Aronia, Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) and Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa). As their common names suggest, fruit color is the major difference between the two. Both produce clusters of white flowers in spring, have excellent red fall foliage, grow about 10’ high, and thrive in almost any soil type. ‘Brilliantissima’ is a popular cultivar of Red Chokeberry, chosen for its more compact size and abundance of red fruit. Both species are excellent wildlife plants, but Black Chokeberry gets a lot of attention as a “super fruit” for its high levels of antioxidants and can be used to make juice, jelly, or wine. Aronia work well massed in naturalized settings or at the back of a border since the stems are usually bare near the base leaving room for garden perennials.

Exposure: Sun to part shade
Soil: Tolerant of most soils
Hardiness: USDA Zone 4