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Hollinshead Water-wise Garden Plants

Photo:
Pat Kolling

Taxon ID#

9

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Scientific  Name:

Aronia melanocarpa 'Autumn Magic'

Common Name 1

› Black Chokeberry

Family:

Rosaceae

Origins:

Native to Missouri east to Newfoundland

Plant Type:

Med - Lg Shrub (usually >3' and never < 1.5')
Common Name 2

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Common Name 3

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Oregon native:

no

Western state native:

no

Scroll down for more information on each topic

Plant Maintenance Information

Landscape Application Information

Seasonal Care

Resource Links

MAINTENANCE

Maintenance Level:

Low

Min. USDA Hardiness Zone:

3

Sun Preference:

Full Sun

Water Preference:

M

Soil Preference:

Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well drained soils. Plants have a wide range of soil tolerance including boggy soils.

Fertilizer Needs:

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Recommended Mulch:

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PLANT DESCRIPTION

Foliage Color:

Dark Green

Foliage Description:

Glossy. elliptic to obovate dark green leaves, 2-3" long, with finely toothed margins, black autumn berries that are blueberry size, and purple/red fall color

Fragrant:

no

Predominant flower color:

White

Flower Description:

5-6 flowered clusters of white 5-petal flowers in spring

Fall color:

yes

Fall Color Description:

Purple/red fall color

Winter Foliage:

Deciduous

Winter Interest:

no

Winter Interest Description:

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Mature height:

3-6'

Mature spread:

3-6'

Growth rate:

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LANDSCAPE APPLICATION

Deer Resistant:

no

Fire Resistant:

no

Attracts Pollinators:

no

Attracts Butterflies:

no

Native Habitat:

Low woods, swamps, bogs, moist thickets.

Attracts Birds:

yes

Cut/Dried Flowers:

no

Used by Wildlife:

yes

Swales:

no

Wildlife Use:

Edible fruits

Photo:
Pat Kolling

Hedge/Screen:

no

Border:

yes

Erosion Control:

no

Windbreak:

no

Ground Cover:

no

Provides Shade:

no

Rock Garden:

no

Cover Structures:

no

First Bloom:

May

Last Bloom:

Adds Texture/Movement:

May

Ornamental Accent:

yes

yes

Garden Observations:

Looking healthy, no sign of root damage from tunneling critters - vibration stakes installed.

Application
Anchor 1

SEASONAL CARE

Spring Care:

Prune after it flowers. Prune black chokeberry stems and branches to encourage bushiness, cutting the shrub to 20 inches above the ground after it flowers. Flowering usually occurs in May or June. Prune each stem or branch just above a leaf node to avoid

Summer Care:

Cut suckers. Shallow hoeing around black chokeberry roots prevents suckers from growing and controls weeds.

Fall Care:

Cut suckers. Shallow hoeing around black chokeberry roots prevents suckers from growing and controls weeds.

Winter Care:

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Long Term Care:

Prune the black chokeberry shrub when it is 8 to 10 years old to improve its fruit production. Cut its branches and stems to 40 inches above the ground after the plant flowers. Repeat the procedure every four or five years.

Insect Pests:

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Wildlife Pests:

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Diseases:

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Environmental Problems:

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Landscape Problems:

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Care Comments:

Don't cut black chokeberry branches to just above a fork because the shrub won't resprout from that area. It resprouts from only buds along a length of branch or stem. Leave as many branches on the shrub as possible to encourage bushiness.

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