Aronia melanocarpa 'Hugin'

RHS Plant Profile
black chokeberry 'Hugin'

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Synonyms

Aronia × prunifolia 'Hugin'

Shrubs Fruit Edible
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A compact, deciduous shrub to around 2m tall with dark green leaves that turn orange and red in autumn. Small clusters of white flowers borne in late spring and early summer are followed by shiny black fruits in autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–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
Bushy, Suckering
Potentially harmful
The berries are edible, but bitter raw, and this tree is usually grown as an ornamental plant rather than to provide a crop of fruit in the UK
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
Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in any moist but well-drained soil (except shallow soil over chalk) in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by softwood cuttings in early summer, or propagate from suckers when plants are dormant

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Hedging and screens
  • Edible fruit

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or Pruning group 2

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free