WSU Clark County Extension
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Red Chokeberry

Scientific name: Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima'
Taxonomy
Family:Rosaceae
Type:Deciduous shrubs
Native:NO
Plant Requirements
Zone:4 to 9
Sun:Full to partial sun
Moisture:Medium
Plant Characteristics
Height:8 ft
Width:4 ft
Bloom:Spring flowers
Bloom Time:April
Bloom Color:White
Additional Characteristics
Trees


Fruit

Leaves


Bark
Wildlife value

Poisonous
Description Red Chokeberry is best known for its glossy red berries and scarlet fall foliage that simply shine in the fall landscape. Its common name stems from the tart and bitter berries which are so atringent they can lead to choking for those who sample it.

  Morphology:
The deciduous shrub grows 6’-8’ tall and 4’ wide. It forms an upright multi-stemmed bush which can spread by underground stems. Leaves are dark green during the summer and scarlet red during the fall before they are shed for the winter. Leaves are elliptic in shape and 3” long.

In April cluster of white to pinkish tinged flowers form in corymbs. Flower have 5 petals are 3/8” in diameter. Flowers morph into glossy red berries (3/8” in diameter) which ripen in the fall, and can hang onto the limbs even after the leaves are shed. Song birds love the taste of the berries.

Fruits are sometimes used to make tasty jams and jellies.

  Adaptation:
Red Chokeberry prefers sun to partial shade. While it likes well-drained sites it can survive on wet sites. On the East Coast it is often used in wetland sites where it can naturalize. It is considered deer tolerant.

  Pests:
None reported.
For assistance, contact Dr. Charles Brun (brunc@wsu.edu), (360) 397-6060 5701
Computing and Web Resources, PO Box 6234, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-6234