Red Chokeberry
Aronia arbutifolia
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States
iNaturalist: © abelkinser (iNaturalist #155627592)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Genus:
- Aronia
- Species:
- Aronia arbutifolia
- USDA Symbol:
- ARAR7
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fall Color:
- red, orange, purple
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from root crown after fire or top removal. Common component of fire-managed wetland edges and Atlantic coastal plain ecosystems.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- moist, well-drained, acidic loam
- pH:
- 4.5 - 6.5 (acidic to slightly acidic)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Thrives in wetland and bog conditions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from extended cold-moist stratification. Fresh seed germinates more readily than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: Seeds are stratified for 90 days in moist peat in a cooler at 40°F
Establishment: Seeds collected in National Capital Parks-East, Washington, D.C., Oxon Run Parkway. Plant is generally found in bogs, swamps, and wet woods, less often in dry soil.
Source: npn.rngr.net