Shrub · Rosaceae family
black chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa
In short a 10-second read
Black chokeberry (shrub) grows to 0.9–1.8 m tall and 0.9–1.8 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in soil from dry to moist. It flowers in May; the flowers are white or pink. Hardy to −40 °C.
× spread 0.9–1.8 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in soil from dry to moist. Hardy to −40 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
dry to moist · watering: moderate
Soil: clay, humus-rich, loamy, sandy, gravelly
Soil pH 5–8
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 5–10 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
May · white or pink
Pruning
No pruning needed — just remove dead or damaged parts.
Planting
container plant: October–April
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −40 °C
- Deciduous — bare in winter
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does black chokeberry flower?
In May; the flowers are white or pink.
Does black chokeberry tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does black chokeberry need?
At maturity 0.9–1.8 m wide and 0.9–1.8 m tall; recommended spacing 150 cm.
Does black chokeberry survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −40 °C.
Where the data comes from
The data is indicative — we are still comparing it with further sources. Last checked 17 October 2026.
Show sources (13)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — Aronia melanocarpa
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Aronia melanocarpa
- Oregon State University Landscape Plants — Aronia melanocarpa
- BfN (Bundesamt für Naturschutz) — Naturschutzfachliche Invasivitätsbewertung
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Aronia melanocarpa
- Wikidata (CC0) — Aronia melanocarpa
- RHS - Aronia melanocarpa
- RHS - Trees and shrubs: planting
- Clemson HGIC - Planting Trees Correctly
- RHS - How to grow shrubs
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU, Slovakia, EASIN
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