Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa)

A small to medium sized shrub (4-8'), native to eastern North America, Aronia has been used as an edible landscape plant but virtually ignored as a fruit crop in this country. The plant made its way to Russia early in the 19th century, and continues as a commercial crop since the 1940’s. The fruit is blueberry sized with a deep purple color. It is extremely rich in antioxidants. Sun or partial shade, tolerate wet soils.