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Fothergilla gardenii Witch Alder
Fothergilla gardenii (Witch Alder). Photo © Mary Free
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Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry)

Aronia melanocarpa Black Chokeberry flower buds
Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry) flowers for pollinators in April
Aronia melanocarpa Black Chokeberry immature fruit
Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry) fruit in July
Aronia melanocarpa Black Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry) in August. Photo © 2017 Elaine Mills

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Earlier classified as Photinia melanocarpa, this attractive native* is often found in bogs, swamps, and moist thickets. Although edible, the fruits’ acerbic taste often causes choking–hence the common name. However, its red coloring and healthy nutrients make it useful in food processing. Shrub Flowers, Fruit, Foliage, Bark, Shrub Height: 3–6 feet Spread: 3–6 feet Bloom Color: White or pink-tinged Characteristics Small, upright, spreading deciduous shrub Multi-stemmed, slender branches, lenticeled bark Glossy, elliptic, dark green leaves with finely toothed edges Flat-topped clusters of white five-petaled flowers from April to May Black fruit (pomes) from September to November Fall color ranges from yellow to orange to crimson Attributes Tolerates wide range of soils, including boggy No serious insect or disease problems; deer seldom severely damage although they, along with rabbits, may browse twigs and foliage Fruit used for jams, juice, and natural red coloring Attracts bees and birds, incl. Cedar Waxwings, and mammals; larval host to some Lepidoptera Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Average, well-drained Berberis thunbergii - Japanese Barberry Light Requirements: Sun, Partial Shade Euonymus alatus - Burning Bush Water Requirements: Moist Ligustrum species - Privets Plant in full sun for best fruit production Lonicera species - Non-Native Honeysuckles Remove root suckers to prevent spread Rubus phoenicolasius - Wineberry Use as hedge or beside ponds and streams *It is native to DC, historical in DE, and absent in about ten PA counties. In VA, it is frequent in the mountains, infrequent in the Piedmont (it is not reported to be in Loudoun county), and infrequent to rare in the Coastal Plain. Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Elaine Mills, private garden, Arlington, Virginia and National Garden, U.S. Botanic Garden

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Aronia melanocarpa (Black Chokeberry)

Earlier classified as Photinia melanocarpa, this attractive native* is often found in bogs, swamps, and moist thickets. Although edible, the fruits’ acerbic taste often causes choking – hence the common name. However, its red coloring and healthy nutrients make it useful in food processing.

*It is native to DC, historical in DE, and absent in about ten PA counties. In VA, it is frequent in the mountains, infrequent in the Piedmont (it is not reported to be in Loudoun county), and infrequent  – rare in the Coastal Plain.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets