Aronia arbutifolia

RHS Plant Profile
red chokeberry

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Shrubs
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A branching deciduous shrub reaching 3m tall and 2.5m wide if left unpruned. It has dark green leaves, downy on the under side, which become scarlet in autumn. In spring, white flowers in clusters, develop into downy red berries

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
5–10 years
Max Spread
1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height
2.5-4 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Rosaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Spreading branched
Genus
Aronia are deciduous shrubs with simple leaves that colour well in autumn, and clusters of small white, hawthorn-like flowers followed by black, red or purple berries. These berries are edible, but are very astringent when raw; they may attract birds
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
E N America

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in neutral to acid soil with good drainage, in good light

Propagation

Propagate from softwood cuttings or from seed - for more advice see Propagate from seed (tree/shrub

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Hedging and screens

Pruning

pruning group 1 or pruning group 2

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free