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Shrubs

Aronia × prunifolia 'Brilliant'

purple chokeberry 'Brilliant'

A deciduous shrub to 2m tall, with elliptic or obovate leaves turning brilliant red in autumn; small white flowers are followed by long-lasting bright red berries

Other common names

red chokeberry 'Brilliant'

Synonyms

Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliant'
Aronia melanocarpa 'Brilliant'

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Ultimate height

1.5–2.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

5–10 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–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)

Botanical details

Family: Rosaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
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 in sun or partial shade

Propagation

Propagate by seed in autumn outside. Can also be propagated by removing suckers and potting them up when plants are dormant. Softwood cuttings can be taken in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or pruning group 2

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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