How Much Sun Do Aronia Berry Plants Need?

Identification

• The black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is the species most commonly cultivated in American gardens. It is winter hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 8. Its cousin the red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) has been hybridized with black chokeberry to form purple chokeberry (Aronia prunifolia); both red and purple types are hardy in USDA zones 4 and above. The plants’ common names correspond to the color of their berries. Native to Eastern North America, they are only now gaining recognition as both ornamental and edible plants.

Light Requirements

• Chokeberries will grow anywhere between full sun -- 6 or more total hours of direct, full sunlight -- to partial shade, which is only 2 to 4 hours of direct sun per day. Their best growth, flower and fruit production occurs in sunny locations, however, so plant in full sun if you are trying to produce berries for a harvestable crop. In sunny locations, the red chokeberry turns brilliant shades of scarlet and purple in fall, although even in shade it will produce nice colors. The other chokeberries also change color in fall, and are also dependent on location for quality color.

Culture

• Chokeberries will tolerate a wide range of soil types, but best growth occurs when soils are consistently moist. However, they will also tolerate boggy conditions and mostly dry ones, but appreciate well-drained soils. Chokeberries propagate through root suckering as well as seed, so unless you are trying to encourage them to form thickets, trim root suckers as they appear. Even when encouraging canes to thicket, you should thin them every few years to allow light to penetrate, otherwise production will decline.

Garden Uses

• Dramatic fruits, elegant spring blooms and good fall color make chokeberries ideal landscape plants for shrub borders, woodland areas or native plant gardens. Their water tolerance suits them to planting along the edges of ponds, streams or other water features. When purchasing, do not confuse chokeberry with the chokecherry tree (Prunus virginiana), hardy in USDA zones 2 through 7. Although berries are not toxic right off the bush, they are bitter and unpleasant, explaining the common name “chokeberry.” Making jam or preserves out of them will sweeten their flavor.