Aronia Berry vs Mountain Huckleberry - TreeTime.ca

Aronia Berry vs Mountain Huckleberry

Aronia melanocarpa

Vaccinium membranaceum

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Aronia Berry
Mountain Huckleberry

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.

Mountain Huckleberry is a small shrub known for its tart to sweet berries. The berries range from purple-black to red-black, and can be eaten fresh or used in jams and syrups. It is a plant native to Alberta and the berries are frequently enjoyed by both people and wildlife.

In traditional Indigenous fire management practices, berry patches were burned after harvest. This would reduce the invasion of other plants allowing the Mountain Huckleberry to thrive. Its foliage has low flammability and can survive low severity fires, and even if destroyed they regrow from the roots.

Note: Mountain Huckleberry requires specific soil conditions. They need moist, well-drained, acidic soil with a pH around 5.5.

Aronia Berry Quick Facts

Mountain Huckleberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $3.49 - SAVE UP TO 30%
Zone: 3a
Zone: 5a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Spread: 1.2 m (4 ft)
Spread: 0.6 m (2.0 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Fall colour: red to orange color
Berries: dark purple
Flavor: sweet, acidic
Harvest: mid to late summer
Flowers: whitish-pink
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: high




Other Names: black choke berry, black chokeberry
Other Names: big huckleberry, black huckleberry, tall bilberry, thinleaf huckleberry