Black chokeberry (aronia) Aronia melanocarpa
Black chokeberry (aronia) (Aronia melanocarpa) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Rosaceae family, native to Eastern North America. It grows 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) tall and 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -40 °C (-40 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Black chokeberry (aronia) in your garden →
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Black chokeberry (aronia) at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -40 °C (-40 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: berries |
| Native to | Eastern North America |
| Common in gardens of | 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is Black chokeberry (aronia) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not listed as toxic; astringent berries are edible.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Black chokeberry (aronia)
Good neighbours
- good With Garlic chives: Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal. Evidence D
Shared pests and diseases
- Fire blight: Fire blight bacteria are carried by bees and rain between apples, pears, quince, hawthorn, cotoneaster and firethorn. Evidence B
Questions about Black chokeberry (aronia)
- How far apart should I plant Black chokeberry (aronia)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft).
- Does Black chokeberry (aronia) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Black chokeberry (aronia) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Black chokeberry (aronia)?
- It tolerates about -40 °C (-40 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Black chokeberry (aronia) flower?
- From about May for 1–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Black chokeberry (aronia) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not listed as toxic; astringent berries are edible.
- What grows well with Black chokeberry (aronia)?
- Gardeners plant garlic chives among roses to deter aphids and black spot; the evidence is weak and mostly anecdotal.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
- Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox, NC State Extension
Notes and assumptions
- Self-fertile and very hardy; berries are very astringent raw; tolerates wet and poor soils; chill roughly 800-1000 hours (estimate).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Serviceberry Amelanchier canadensis
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.
- Garden rose Rosa x hybrida
- Japanese flowering cherry Prunus serrulata