What soil does Black chokeberry grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, acidic, clay, sandy.

Is Black chokeberry hardy?

Hardy down to -40 °C (USDA zone 3, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Black chokeberry toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

How far from the house should Black chokeberry be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Black chokeberry be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 1.5 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 2 plants per metre.

How much water does Black chokeberry need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Black chokeberry cost?

It sells for roughly €2.40 to €110 in local shops, depending on size.

Black chokeberry

Aronia melanocarpa

Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a fruit plant. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -40 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Non-toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €2.40.

Illustration of Black chokeberry — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

An undemanding, completely hardy fruiting shrub: flat heads of white flowers in May, clusters of black, astringent berries ripening in late summer and vivid red leaves in autumn. It is self-fertile, so a single bush crops well; the berries are mouth-puckering raw and best in jam, syrup or dried, and birds find them quickly. It fruits best in sun and likes moist, slightly acidic soil, while on dry, chalky ground it grows poorly. It spreads slowly by suckers, so pull out unwanted ones now and then or let it thicken into a loose fruiting hedge.

Watch out for

It has few problems and no serious pests or diseases. In Central Europe the soil is the main limit: on dry, strongly alkaline ground it turns yellow and grows weakly, and it needs watering in summer drought. Birds can strip the ripening fruit within days and spotted wing drosophila can attack it, so pick promptly when ripe or net the bush.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.8 m × 1.5 m
Hardiness: down to -40 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–June, white

Group	Fruit
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	1.8 m × 1.5 m
Ultimate size	1–2.5 m × 1–2 m
Hardiness	down to -40 °C (USDA 3, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Acidic, Clay, Sandy
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	May–June, white
Harvest	August–September
Self-fertile	yes
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	yes
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	150 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about €2.40

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
under 30 cm	approx. €14
30-60 cm	approx. €15
60-100 cm	approx. €3.10
100-150 cm	approx. €4.60
150-200 cm	approx. €110
size not stated	approx. €4.50 – €20

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Plants that are non-toxic to children Hedge plants Fruit trees and bushes Plants with autumn colour Plants with edible fruit

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Looks good next to it

Heartleaf bergenia

Bergenia cordifolia

Blue holly

Ilex × meserveae

Barren strawberry

Waldsteinia ternata