Aronia arbutifolia
Common name: 
Red Chokeberry
Pronunciation: 
a-RO-nee-a ar-bu-ti-FO-li-ah
Family: 
Rosaceae
Genus: 
Aronia
Type: 
Broadleaf
Native to (or naturalized in) Oregon: 
No
  • Broadleaf deciduous shrub, to 10 ft (3 m) high, spread of 3-5 ft (0.9-1.5 m), variable, may sucker and form a colony.  Leaves simple, alternate, elliptic to oblong-ovate, to about 8 cm, tip acute or acuminate, margin crenate-serrate, dull green and glabrous above except for midrib, grayish tomentose below; fall color yellow, orange and red.  Flowers white or pink, about 1 cm wide, 9-20 in small clusters.  Fruit somewhat spherical or pear-shaped, dull or bright red, about 6 mm across, persists into winter.
  • Sun to part shade, very adaptable as to soil, moist to well-drained.  Excellent for mass plantings or boarders.
  • Hardy to USDA Zone (4)5     Native range from Massachusetts to Florida and west to Minnesota, Arkansas, and Texas.
  • ‘Brilliantissima’ ('Brilliant'): has glossy dark green leaves and excellent scarlet fall color and more abundant glossy red fruit; the most popular selection.
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