Chokeberry, Autumn Magic

Aronia melanocarpa 'Autumn Magic'

Height: 3-6ft
Spread: 4-7ft
Zone: 3-8
Exposure: Full sun to part shade
Growth Rate: Slow/moderate
Bloom Time/Color: May; white
Uses: Naturalizing, massing, borders, specimen
Maintenance: Low
Other: Fall color, edible, native

Black chokeberry is an under used deciduous shrub with multi season interest. In spring, clusters of small white flowers emerge and eventually mature in autumn into ink-black fruit. The fruit is actually edible and jams/jellies can be found in gourmet groceries. Throughout the growing season, the shrub is covered in glossy, dark green elliptical leaves that turn red/purple in the fall. Chokeberries also have little to no disease or insect problems and are known to slowly form colonies. Plants prefer average, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade, however, they tolerate a wide range of growing conditions including wet/clay soils and occasional drought. 'Autumn Magic' was selected as an outstanding cultivar on the species by the University of British Columbia.