Black Chokeberry - Aronia melanocarpa

Adaptable Chokeberry displays clusters of small, white flowers in mid-spring, followed by tart, purplish black fruit in late summer and autumn. Full Sun is best to produce berries, which may attract Woodpeckers, native Sparrows, Waxwings and more. Chokeberry nectar and pollen feed diverse pollinators including small non-stinging bees, like mason bees. It is also larval host to more than 20 US caterpillar species, including the Coral Hairstreak butterfly and Underwing and Bluish Spring moths. Chokeberry even offers red autumn color. Called chokeberry because the berries are so bitter, but they can make delicious jams. Soil Type: Loam/Sand Soil Conditions: Moist-Dry Flower Color: White Flower Time: May Height: 3-6' Light: Sun/Part-Sun Features: Rain Garden, Birds, Pollinators, Larval Host, Fall interest Credits: Info courtesy of U of IL Extension Service; Photo courtesy of John Ruter, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org