Red Chokeberry - Aronia Arbutifolia

This deciduous shrub reaches up to eight feet high and four feet across. Requiring full sun to partial shade, chokeberry boasts showy white flowers followed by shiny, red, tart berries. It grows best in average to well-drained soil, but can tolerate a variety of soil conditions. It is hardy in Zones 4-9. Compact with lustrous foliage, the chokeberry is attractive in borders and naturalized areas.

Red Chokeberry Bush is a tall, versatile shrub that is full of surprises. This hardy bush is an excellent addition to hedges and naturalized areas throughout the country. In late April or early May, these long branches are covered with clusters of showy white blossoms that stand out against the shiny dark green leaves of the Red Chokeberry Bush. Lasting about 1 to 2 weeks, these flowers fade away, but the shrub does not lose its splendor. Only requiring a medium amount of water, the plant grows quickly and can survive through dry or rainy spells, and its tall size and thick green leaves continue to impress. As fall arrives, these leaves change color turning bright, crimson red mixed with splashes of purple. The Red Chokeberry Bush is most known for this full show of fall colors that stand out in any landscape. Also, around September, the plant starts producing red fruit in the form of small berries clustered throughout the branches. These provide food for birds and other animals from September until the end of the year. While technically edible by humans, the berries are incredibly tart and not typically eaten. Landscapers often use this shrub around the edges of properties and to stabilize bank edges. With these simple requirements, the Red Chokeberry Bush multiplies and has few problems. It is an excellent choice for most yards as homeowners love the low maintenance requirements. Plus, few other shrubs put on a multi-seasonal show as this one does.