Red Chokeberry

Scientific Nomenclature: Aronia arbutifolia

Common Names: red chokeberry, chokeberry

Mature Height: 6–10 feet

Mature Spread: 3–5 feet

Growth Rate: Slow

Attracts Wildlife: Pollinators, birds and mammals

Messiness: Fruits mature in autumn and may persist through winter or begin to drop. Leaves drop in late autumn or winter. 

Shape: Oval, columnar, multi-stemmed

Native to Kentucky: Yes

Preferred Soils: Chokeberry has a wide soil tolerance. It prefers well-drained to boggy/frequently wet clay and loam. Prefers acidic (<6.0pH) and neutral (6.0–8.0pH) soils.

Screening: Useful as a screening plant or as a privacy hedge.

Drought Tolerance: Tolerates dry soils but is intolerant of extended drought.

Coniferous or Deciduous: Deciduous

Pruning: Chokeberry tends to sucker and form colonies; it’s recommended that root suckers be pruned regularly to help maintain the plant’s form/appearance and to keep it from spreading.