Species purple-fruited chokeberry
Gray stem branches with red-orange-green leaves and dark-purple fruit.

purple-fruited chokeberry

Aronia prunifolia

The purple-fruited chokeberry (Aronia prunifolia) is an amazing plant species to behold. It has stunning dark purple-flecked foliage that turns magnificent shades of orange and red in the autumn and unique white to pale pink flowers that bloom in the spring. Both the fruits and leaves are completely edible and can be eaten raw, cooked, or dried and enjoyed in teas, jams, and syrups. As if that’s not enough, this plant - native to North America - is also highly adaptable and resilient to pests and disease, making it a gardeners dream. Growing up to five feet tall, the purple-fruited chokeberry is truly a beautiful and productive addition to the garden.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation,Tissue Culture,Air Layering Propagation,Seed Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 7

Flowers:

White Flowers In Spring

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Fruits:

purple,black Fruits Ready In Fall

Edible:

Yes

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red,purple,burgundy

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

The purple-fruited chokeberry thrives best in moist soil, so it should be watered often. During hot climates, it is important to water the plant deeply every 1-2 weeks. In cooler climates, once every 2-3 weeks should suffice. Make sure that the soil is allowed to dry out in between waterings. Along with the regular waterings, during hot summer months it is also important to provide supplemental waterings every 10-14 days to ensure that the plants have access to enough water to produce healthy, juicy fruits.

sunlight

Purple-fruited chokeberry (Aronia prunifolia) is a deciduous fruit-bearing shrub that loves a healthy dose of sunlight. It should receive at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day during the summer months, with part shade during the hottest parts of the day. In winter, the shrub can tolerate less hours of sunlight, but it should still have access to some sunlight throughout the day for at least 3-4 hours. Be sure to monitor the amount of sunlight that it receives, as too much can cause the leaves to burn.

pruning

For a healthy plant, the best time to prune the Purple-fruited chokeberry is during the late spring or early summer once the plant has finished flowering. Depending on your desired shape of the plant or desired size, the amount of pruning can range anywhere from light thinning to severe pruning. When pruning, it is important to cut back to the main framework of the plant. This will help the plant to sustain a strong and healthy structure. It is also important to prune away any diseased, damaged, or lost leaves as they can potentially cause a permanent set-back for the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Aronia prunifolia typically begins in late August or early September.

Starts Flowering

Aronia prunifolia typically starts flowering in April.

Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Aronia prunifolia typically begins in late August or early September.

Hardiness Map