Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a deciduous shrub that is native to the eastern part of North America. It grows in an upright and fairly rounded shape. Its glossy, dark green leaves are around 1 to 3 inches long and either lanceolate or elliptical in shape. The foliage turns red to reddish-purple in the fall, providing striking color to the landscape before dropping off the plant for winter. Clusters of small five-petaled flowers appear in the spring, and purplish-black to black fruits that are around the size of blueberries appear in the late summer to fall. Black chokeberry has a slow to moderate growth rate and can be planted in the fall or spring.
From late summer to fall, shiny edible blueberry-like fruits are produced in colors of black, purple, or red. Aronia is self-fertile, but will have bigger fruits and larger harvests when planted near other specimens.

Possible health benefits include boosting the immune system, reducing cell damage due to cancer, improving liver function, protecting against coronary disease, and reducing inflammation due to diabetes. The high-antioxidant fruit is used in baking and to make jams, jellies, syrup, tea, juice and wine. Fruit can persist into winter and serves as a food source for birds and other wildlife.

Aronia can be planted in spring or fall when the weather is moderate. Plant in a site that receives full to partial sun. Plants will produce the most flowers and berries when they receive at least 6 hours of full sun per day. Too much shade will result in weak growth and poor production.

Zones: Zones 3-9

Habit: Bushy habit

Height/Spread: 8 inches to 12 feet tall, 1-1/2 to 10 feet wide

Exposure: Partial shade to full sun

Soil Type: Well-drained
 
Soil pH: Acidic