Black Chokeberry

Black Chokeberry

Aronia melanocarpa

A hardy native shrub with clusters of white spring flowers followed by glossy black berries in late summer and fall. The berries persist on the plant and are highly valued by birds and wildlife.

In autumn, the foliage turns brilliant shades of red and purple, making this one of the most striking native shrubs for fall colour.

A Beautiful and Nutritious Native Berry

Black Chokeberry produces small dark berries that are extremely high in antioxidants. While very astringent when eaten fresh, the fruits are excellent when used in jams, syrups, juices, and baked goods.

The berries have long been valued as both a wildlife food source and a traditional food plant.

A Shrub of Wet Meadows and Woodland Edges

This adaptable species naturally grows in wetlands, moist meadows, bog edges, open woodlands, and along streams. It tolerates wet soils but also performs well in average garden conditions once established.

Black Chokeberry often forms dense colonies that provide excellent cover for birds and small wildlife.

Growing Information

Height: 3–6 ft

Spread: 3–6 ft

Light: Full sun to part shade

Soil: Moist to average soils

Hardiness: Zone 3–8

Growth Rate: Moderate

Best planted in rain gardens, hedgerows, wildlife plantings, and naturalized landscapes.

Ecological Importance

Black Chokeberry:

Produces berries eaten by birds and mammals

Provides nectar for pollinators in spring

Creates shelter and nesting habitat for wildlife

Supports a variety of native insects

🐛 Larval Host Plant For

• Coral Hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
• Viceroy Butterfly (Limenitis archippus)

Associated Wet Meadow & Woodland Edge Species

Common companions in natural plant communities include:

• Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)
• Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata)
• Sweet Gale (Myrica gale)
• Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor)
• Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
• Joe Pye Weed (Eutrochium maculatum)
• New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

Planting these species together helps recreate resilient wet meadow and wetland edge ecosystems that support pollinators, birds, and beneficial insects.

Planting to Protect
Restoring to Thrive 🌱
Origin Native Plants 🌱

1 Gallon Pots