Aronia x prunifolia

The Purple Chokeberry is a hybrid, deciduous shrub with multi-season interest. The multi-stemmed shrub is derived from the Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) and the Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa.) The plant is found in bogs, meadows, fields, and along the shores of rivers and lakes. It is a native of eastern Canada and the eastern United States. 

The shrub grows upright and is thicket forming. They measure up to 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Full sun encourages the best fruit and flower production. They are tolerant of salty soils, dry and wet sites, and occasional flooding.  Root suckers tend to develop and may need to be removed to prevent colonial spread.

Clusters of white to pink-tinged flowers appear in the spring. The leaves are green and glossy, but they turn to a wine red color in the fall. The berries ripen during the fall, and the purple fruits may be present throughout the winter. Their colorful bark adds winter interest. 

The berries are very tart, but they may be used to make jams and jellies. Reportedly, the raw berry is so astringent it may cause choking. 

The genus name, Aronia, is from the Greek word "aria." This is the Greek name for the species Sorbus, whose fruits are similar to the Chokeberry. The species name, prunifolia, refers to the foliage that resembles the genus Prunus. The common name, Chokeberry, references their bitter taste.

Butterflies are attracted to their flowers for nectar, and birds enjoy the berries as a food source.

The Purple Chokeberry is a good choice for mass planting in low or wet areas. They may also be considered for use as hedged or mixed borders for their multi-season interest.

Insect, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious disease/insect problems. It may be susceptible to developing leaf spot and twig/fruit blight