Aronia sometimes called black chokeberry, is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. It is sometimes used in landscapes for its creamy white flowers in late spring, and colorful flame red autumn foliage contrasted with dark berries. Aronia is cold hardy and its late blooming period avoids damage by spring frosts. The plants tolerate various soils but prefer slightly acidic soils. Mature plants may be up to 8 feet tall and have up to 40 canes per bush. Numerous suckers are produced from the roots and fill in the space between the plants like a hedgerow. Thinning of older canes is recommended every few years to avoid dense growth and poor light exposure. Reduced light decreases productivity. The plants are well adapted to many areas of North America and appear to be little affected by either pests or disease. Aronia clearly has potential for use as an alternative commercial fruit crop that may be suited to organic farming.
Aronia was well known to natives and early settlers but has not been commercially cultivated in the United States since early in the 20th century. Aronia berries can be canned whole or the juice extracted for jelly making, candies, pie and cookie fillings, yogurt, sorbet, flavored milk and other uses. In Russia, Denmark, and Eastern Europe the strongly colored and pungently flavored juice is widely used for juice and wine production.
The pea-sized, violet-black berries are harvested in autumn and have a strong, stable natural color with a dry and sour flavor. Yields of up to 38 pounds (17 kilograms) per bush have been reported from mature plantings in Europe. The fruit can be mechanically harvested with equipment similar to that available for blueberries. In smaller plants the fruit is hand harvested by cutting the fruit clusters. Harvest is usually in late August to September.
Aronia chokeberry Extract contains very high levels of anthocyanins (source of red color) and flavonoids. Levels of anthocyanins and flavonoids are over five times greater than those found in cranberries. Aronia also has been reported to contain antioxidants, polyphenols, minerals and vitamins. It has been alleged that some of these chemicals specifically reduce the potential for cancer and heart disease.
Hardiness Zone: 3 (!)
Source: http://www.bkherb.com
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Drought tolerant |  |
Shadow |
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Average water demand |  |
Half-shade |
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High water demand |  |
Sunny |
ZONE: The USDA Hardiness Zone of the plant. See the chart of USDA Hardiness Zones HERE!
SIZE: The size of the plant in centimeter.
QUALITY: For example: K1: we grow the plant in 1 liter container, CSP8x8: we grow the plant in 8x8 cm pot, SZGY: we ship the plant with bare root (carefully packed), FL: we ship the plant with root ball.
