Tried and True Native Plant Selections for the Mid-Atlantic Images by Elaine Mills, National Garden, U.S. Botanic Garden and private residence, Arlington, Virginia Shrub Shrub and Close-ups of Fruit and Foliage Height: 3–6 feet Spread: 3–6 feet Bloom Color: White or pink-tinged Characteristics Small, upright, spreading deciduous shrub Multi-stemmed with slender branches Glossy, elliptic, dark green leaves with finely toothed edges Flat-topped clusters of white five-petaled flowers from April to May Black pomes (fruit) from September to November Fall color ranges from yellow to orange to crimson Attributes Tolerates wide range of soils, including boggy No serious insect or disease problems; deer seldom severely damage although they, along with rabbits, may browse twigs and foliage Fruit used for jams, juice, and natural red coloring Attracts bees and birds, incl. Cedar Waxwings, and mammals; larval host to some Lepidoptera Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained Berberis thunbergii - Japanese Barberry Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Euonymus alatus - Burning Bush Water Requirements: Moist Ligustrum species - Privets Plant in full sun for best fruit production Lonicera species - Non-Native Honeysuckles Remove root suckers to prevent spread Rubus phoenicolasius - Wineberry Use as hedge or beside ponds and streams *It is native to DC, historical in DE, and absent in about ten PA counties. In VA, it is frequent in the mountains, infrequent in the Piedmont (it is not reported to be in Loudoun county), and infrequent to rare in the Coastal Plain. Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Aronia melanocarpa Black Chokeberry Earlier classified as Photinia melanocarpa, this attractive native* is often found in bogs, swamps, and moist thickets. Although edible, the fruits’ acerbic taste often causes choking–hence the common name. However, its red coloring and healthy nutrients make it useful in food processing. Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg.

Aronia melanocarpa FD-L · Aronia melanocarpa Black Chokeberry Earlier classified as Photinia melanocarpa, this attractive native* is often found in bogs, swamps, and moist thickets

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Page 1: Aronia melanocarpa FD-L · Aronia melanocarpa Black Chokeberry Earlier classified as Photinia melanocarpa, this attractive native* is often found in bogs, swamps, and moist thickets

Tried and True Native Plant Selections

for the Mid-Atlantic

Images by Elaine Mills, National Garden, U.S. Botanic Garden and private residence, Arlington, Virginia

Shrub Shrub and Close-ups of Fruit and Foliage

Height: 3–6 feet

Spread: 3–6 feet

Bloom Color: White or pink-tinged

Characteristics

Small, upright, spreading deciduous shrub

Multi-stemmed with slender branches

Glossy, elliptic, dark green leaves with finely toothed edges

Flat-topped clusters of white five-petaled flowers from April to May

Black pomes (fruit) from September to November

Fall color ranges from yellow to orange to crimson

Attributes

Tolerates wide range of soils, including boggy

No serious insect or disease problems; deer seldom severely damage although they, along with rabbits, may browse twigs and foliage

Fruit used for jams, juice, and natural red coloring

Attracts bees and birds, incl. Cedar Waxwings, and mammals; larval host to some Lepidoptera

Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for

Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained Berberis thunbergii - Japanese Barberry

Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Euonymus alatus - Burning Bush

Water Requirements: Moist Ligustrum species - Privets

Plant in full sun for best fruit production Lonicera species - Non-Native Honeysuckles

Remove root suckers to prevent spread Rubus phoenicolasius - Wineberry

Use as hedge or beside ponds and streams *It is native to DC, historical in DE, and absent in about ten PA counties. In VA, it is frequent in the mountains, infrequent in the Piedmont (it is not reported to be in Loudoun county), and infrequent to rare in the Coastal Plain.Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8

developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria

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Aronia melanocarpa Black Chokeberry

Earlier classified as Photinia melanocarpa, this attractive native* is often found in bogs, swamps, and moist thickets. Although edible, the fruits’ acerbic taste often causes choking–hence the common name. However, its red coloring and healthy nutrients make it useful in food processing.

Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; M. Ray McKinnie, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program, Virginia State, Petersburg.