Western Chokecherry vs Aronia Berry - TreeTime.ca

Western Chokecherry vs Aronia Berry

Prunus virginiana var. demissa

Aronia melanocarpa

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Western Chokecherry
Aronia Berry

Western Chokecherry is a shrub or small tree commonly used for farmstead and field windbreaks.

It produces white flowers in the spring and edible dark purple fruit that matures between September and October. Its cherries are great for making for making jams, jellies or wine, but are not very palatable for raw eating.

Aronia Berry produces black fruit that is often considered too astringent. This is why they are also referred to as Black Chokeberry. It is native to Eastern Canada and the Eastern United States. White to pink flowers appear in the spring which provides a nice contrast to the dark green foliage. In fall the leaves turn a vibrant orange to red.

It has a fast growth rate, strong roots, and can tolerate growing in wet soils. This makes it well suited for various projects including forming hedges, bank stabilization, erosion control, and in wetter riparian areas. They are also well suited as an understory plant as it grows well under other trees.

Aronia berries have their own unique flavour. The polyphenols and anthocyanins are touted as healthy antioxidants and lots of research seems to be underway on the health benefits of this fruit.

Western Chokecherry Quick Facts

Aronia Berry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 7 m (23 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 5 m (16 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal
Light: full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: reddish-purple
Fall colour: red to orange color
Berries: edible, astringent, red-purple
Flowers: whitish-pink
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: low
Suckering: medium



Toxicity: toxic to horses, cattle, etc.)

Other Names: bitter-berry, chokecherry, common chokecherry, virginia bird berry
Other Names: black choke berry, black chokeberry