Aronia Berry vs Black Hawthorn - TreeTime.ca

Aronia Berry vs Black Hawthorn

Crataegus douglasii

Aronia melanocarpa

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Black Hawthorn
Aronia Berry

Black Hawthorn is a versatile plant that is native to wetlands and other areas with moist soils, but can also tolerate dry soils. This plant can be grown as a short shrub, or a tree reaching 30 feet tall.

Black Hawthorn is valued for erosion control and attracting pollinators. It also makes an attractive flowering ornamental that can be planted as a specimen or pruned as a hedge. It is commonly used in shelterbelts.

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.

Black Hawthorn Quick Facts

Aronia Berry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 8 m (25 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 5 m (15 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: any
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium


Foliage: contains thorns
Fall colour: yellow to red
Fall colour: red to orange color
Bark: brown to gray
Flowers: white
Flowers: whitish-pink
Berries: purplish-black pomes
Berries: small black berries, edible
Flavor: astringent
Harvest: late summer to fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: crataegus columbiana, douglas hawthorn, douglas' thornapple
Other Names: black choke berry, black chokeberry