Chokecherry

Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana)

Size: 20-30′ tall/ 20-25′ spread

Flowering: mid-may

Fruiting: Late August

Birds: fall migrants, especially robin, catbird, sparrows, thrasher, thrushes, warblers

This native Chokecherry is usually found in landscapes in the form of one of its cultivars. It is a cold hardy tree with clusters of white flowers in the spring. The fruit are red at first, but turn black with maturity, and are desired by 70 different species of American birds. Foliage of the ‘Schubert’ (‘Canada Red’) cultivar can be striking as it emerges green but turns purple with age. The fall color is orange and red.

Be cautious of the ‘Melanocarpa’ – variety. Though considered a dwarf form, some companies list this as a zone 5 plant.

Chokeberry

Chokeberry (Aronia spp)

Size: 4-6′ tall 3′ spread

Flowering: mid-late April

Fruiting: Mid-Late summer (fruit held throughout winter)

Birds: robin, starling, waxwing, blackbirds, woodpeckers

Chokeberry is the common name for this Aronia species native to North America. It is most often grown for its ornamental qualities: beautiful flowers in spring, dark-green foliage all summer, incredible fall foliage color (brilliant red) and clusters of black fruits. The fruit stays on the plant all winter until it is consumed by birds — often in the spring by early Robins and other fruit-eating birds. Not bothered by insects or disease,  Aronia is a very ornamental and easy plant to grow. Aronia melanocarpa elata is the species plant. It grows into an upright shrub 4 to 6-feet tall and wide. It is very winter hardy and has healthy foliage that is not bothered by insects or disease. The fruit is often made into a healthy syrup or jelly. The fruit remains on the plant all winter until it is consumed by birds.

 

Another variety, Autumn Magic Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) reaches 3-5′ tall/2-4′ wide. This is a great garden shrub for flowers and fruit. In the spring it has tons of fragrant white flowers that are followed by clusters of large, edible purple-black berries that stays on the plant through winter. This shrub has upright growth from 3 to 5-feet tall . But, it’s best know for its foliage, which turns from a glossy dark green in the summer to reds and purples in the fall. Healthy and hardy. Does well in full sun to part shade and is tolerant of most soil types

Buffaloberry

Silver Buffaloberry (Shepherdia argentea)

Size: 8-10′ tall 6-8′ spread

Flowering: Early May

Fruiting: Late Summer

Birds: large variety – woodpeckers, catbird, thrasher, thrushes, sparrows, starlings, orioles

Buffaloberry is a great native plant substitute for the invasive exotic, ‘Autumn Olive’. Buffaloberry has silvery foliage and produces lots of orange-red fruits that are edible by people and sought after by birds. The fruits make an excellent jelly. Buffaloberry is a thorny shrub with upright, mounded growth. The thorns provide excellent protection for nesting birds. It’s also a good xeriscape plant, tolerating extreme drought, cold and alkaline conditions; growing to 8-12′ tall/wide, and tolerating Zone 2 conditions