Purple chokeberry grows 8 to 12 feet tall with clusters of five-petaled, white flowers in spring followed by purple fruits that grow in dense clusters along the branches. The fruits ripen in late summer and persist throughout fall and well into winter, providing food for wildlife. The attractive green foliage turns wine red in fall (prunifolia refers to the foliage that resembles leaves of the genus Prunus). The multi-stemmed shrub prefers full sun but tolerates part shade and spreads by seeds and suckering. For best fruit production, site several plants in full sun and well-drained, moist soils. Space 4 to 6 feet apart for air circulation and maximum growth. Next year's flowers are produced while the current season’s fruit is maturing; when pruning, gardeners must ensure enough flower buds are left on the shoots.
Aronia × prunifolia is a hybrid deciduous shrub that is also known as purple-fruited chokeberry in reference to its purple berries. It's considered to be a natural hybrid between Aronia melanocarpa and Aronia arbutifolia. Its native range is Newfoundland to Ontario and south to Virginia and Indiana.
Aronia berries are considered to be "super fruits" since they contain high levels of antioxidants. Studies have shown Aronia fruits to have protective benefits against several types of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and other health-related issues (Ren et al. 2022). They have long been used in Russia and eastern Europe to make juices, wines, baked goods, jams, and health tonics, and Native Americans used them to make pemmican. The common name refers to the astringency of the raw berries, which may be tempered by freezing, adding a sweetener, or mixing with sweeter fruits. According to “Preserving Aronia Berries: A Personal Experience and Scientific Insight” on Hugelkulturworks.com, freezing the berries causes the cell walls to break down, thus reducing their astringency.
Group or mass in shrub borders or woodland areas. Use along margins of ponds or streams. Great in naturalized areas where its suckering growth habit does not need to be restrained.
Plant Characteristics:
Grows 8-12' tall and 8' wide.
Prefers full sun and tolerates part shade.
Prefers moist to dry, well-drained soils with slightly acidic pH but tolerates dry, poor, or wet conditions.
White, cup-shaped, 1/2" flowers with prominent, bright red to pink anthers appear July-August, followed by dark purple, 1/3" fruits in fall.
Obovate to elliptic, dark green leaves (to 3” long) are grayish-green and hairy beneath.
Bark is reddish brown, thin, and smooth when young. Mature bark becomes grayish-brown.
Reproductive System: Female and male parts are on the same flower (hermaphrodite/protygnous). However, multiple cultivars or plants can help with cross-pollination and boost yields.
Wildlife Value:
Aronia is a host plant for up to 29 species of moths and butterflies, including the coral hairstreak butterfly and the Catocala praeclara moth. The flowers attract numerous pollinators. Deer and rabbits may consume ripe fruits, and birds eat a significant amount of fully ripe fruits. Bird netting may be necessary if berries are left on the plant to achieve higher sugar levels.
Resources:
Missouri Botanical Garden: https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=286430
Ohio State University Extension: https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/anr-0157
Plants for a Future: https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aronia+prunifolia