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Chokeberry ...A Great Wetland Plant # 18831
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By: Bill Hirst
Aronia Plant # 18831
Chokeberry is a deciduous shrub that is found where there are thickets in both wet soils and dry sites in the East. This plant will grow well in Bradford County and in Eastern Pa. The fibrous root system holds soil well, and the suckering nature of this shrub allows a large colony to grow within a few years. The berry is very poor in tasting and is not favored in the fall by birds. This is the reason it is a good winter source of food for the birds. As the winter progresses, it is soon eaten as food stocks decline making this a good later season bird feeder. The astringent quality of the berry limits it use for jelly and jams. I have never been brave enough to eat this berry but enjoy offering it to others!.
This plant can reach 8' in height, is multi-stemmed, and will tend to sucker. Black chokeberry is in the Rose Family and thus is related to the Cherries, Pears, Serviceberries, Hawthorns, Plums, and Roses. This plant will grow in moist, well drained, acidic soils. It does well in wet clay soils and can tolerate a dry summer. This plant is easy to transplant and is able to take a hort 101 majors feeble attempt at transplanting. It can really bite into the soil and rapidly establishes itself. In the fall the foliage and fruit put on a worthy display. The Chokeberries are known for their outstanding fall foliage colors, having yellow, orange, bright red, and deep scarlet hues. A sure to please feature of this plant that is not widely expressed is that it has salt resistance. So if you are a long term planner as the oceans rise, this plant will be affected less as the bays extend inland towards your residence.
Bill has raised Aronia for 25 years on his Fountainville farm in Bucks County. Bill also has a farm on Rt 220 in Milan Pa. His web site has more information on Aronia at http://www.seedlingsrus.com/Aronia.html sign up for his plant and tree newletter at http://www.seedlingsrus.com/123456signup.html
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