Culture
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Plants have a wide range of soil tolerance including boggy soils. Best fruit production usually occurs in full sun. Remove root suckers to prevent colonial spread unless desired.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Aronia melanocarpa, commonly called black chokeberry, is an open, upright, spreading, somewhat rounded but leggy, suckering, deciduous shrub that typically grows 3-6’ tall. It is native to low woods, swamps, bogs and moist thickets but occasionally to dry upland areas, from Newfoundland to southern Ontario and Minnesota south to Missouri, Tennessee and Georgia. It is noted for its 5-6 flowered clusters of white 5-petaled spring (May) flowers, glossy elliptic to obovate dark green leaves (to 2-3” long) with finely toothed margins, black autumn berries (blueberry size) and purple/red fall color.
Genus name comes from the Greek word aria the name for a species of Sorbus of which the fruits resemble chokeberry.
Specific epithet comes from the words melano meaning "black" and carpa meaning "fruit" in reference to the color of ripe fruits of this species.
The common name of chokeberry is in reference to the tart and bitter taste of the fruits which are edible but so astringent as to cause choking in most of those who try. Fruits are sometimes used to make tasty jams and jellies.
'UCONNAM165' LOW SCAPE MOUND is a compact, low-growing selection of black chokeberry with a dense, mound-forming habit. The foliage is glossy and deep green in summer, with red and orange fall coloration. Small flowers with white petals and contrasting red-purple anthers appear in clusters (up to 1" in diameter) in mid-spring. Mature plants only reach up to 2' tall and spread to fill a 4' area. Plant patent number PP28789 applies to this cultivar.
Problems
No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to leaf spots and twig/fruit blight.
Uses
Group or mass in shrub borders, small gardens or open woodland areas. Suitable as a ground cover shrub. Ability to withstand wet conditions makes it suitable for growing on the margins of ponds or streams.