It derives the name 'chokeberry' from the extremely astringent taste that birds supposedly won't tolerate, but it can be quite a pleasant flavor with sweeteners. In fact, some companies like Wildland are now producing Aronia berry juice for consumption. Songbirds and upland gamebirds do enjoy the bitter fruit in winter months, as do many species of small mammals. Ranging from crimson to wine-red to apricot, the leaves are splendid in late October. They have a nearly luminescent quality, brightening darker corners on cloudy autumn days.
Younger branches are slender and yellow-brown with silvery exfoliating scales.
This is yet another nearly disease and pest-free species. There are occasionally problems with twig and fruit blight covering plant parts with powdery mold. Leaf spots and rust have also been reported, but never with adverse effects. IBA quick dip. Division has also proved to be highly successful.