Despite the clay soil, high pH and intense heat in the exposed site, the specimens there are performing well. Aronia melanocarpa 'Autumn Magic' is a cultivar selected from a seedling population in Eastern North America based on its large fruit size, superior fall color and overall form. The cultivar was introduced by the University of British Columbia Botanical Garden in Vancouver. Plants were released for retail sale in the spring of 1994, and a specimen can be seen in the Garden's Pullman Evaluation Garden. With careful attention, the black chokeberry would be a welcome addition to the home landscape.
Some maintenance is needed to attain a clean habit and to control the suckers, if desired.
However, those willing to invest a little time will reap numerous benefits of their labor by witnessing all that the black chokeberry has to offer. All Rights Reserved. The Chicago Botanic Garden is owned by the Forest Preserve District of Cook County and managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society.