Red Chokeberry

Red Chokeberry is a brilliant four-season native shrub that adds ornamental flair and ecological function to any garden. In spring, it offers clusters of white, lightly fragrant flowers that attract early-season pollinators. These are followed by glossy green leaves that turn vivid shades of scarlet, orange, and burgundy in fall—delivering one of the most spectacular autumn displays among native shrubs.

By late summer, it produces bright red berries that persist well into winter, offering vital cold-season nutrition for songbirds. Though the berries are too astringent to enjoy raw, they can be transformed into jellies, juices, or wine.

Why choose Red Chokeberry?

• Top-tier fall color for unmatched seasonal drama.
• Berries that feed birds in winter—especially robins, waxwings, and thrushes.
• Pollinator-friendly blooms that support native bees.
• Great for rain gardens and clay soils—tolerates both wet and average sites.
• Compact and adaptable—ideal for hedgerows, borders, and naturalized spaces.
  

Maintenance Tips

• Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape or rejuvenate older shrubs.
• Can spread by suckers—remove new shoots if a tighter form is preferred.
• Tolerates a wide range of soil types, but avoid extremely dry locations.
• Mulch annually to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Berry production is improved with full sun but still occurs in part shade.
  

• Suckers can form colonies—remove them if you prefer a tidier look.
• Prune after flowering to maintain shape and encourage denser growth.
• Tolerates wet, average, or clay soils but prefers full sun to part shade.
• Deer-resistant and low-maintenance once established.
• Berries may ferment if left on late into winter—beneficial for birds but can be messy near walkways.