How to Grow Aronias USA

Quick Facts

Factor	Value
Drainage	Moist but well-drained preferred, avoid shallow chalk (RHS); ISU notes it tolerates poorly and excessively drained soils too, though well-drained is still preferred.
Lifecycle	Small, deciduous, bushy, spreading shrub with glossy dark-green leaves that colour red in autumn, clusters of small white hawthorn-like flowers in late spring/early summer, followed by shiny black berries. Self-fruitful: ISU is specific that it does not need a pollinator and only one cultivar is required for fruit set, though cross-pollination with another cultivar within 100ft improves both berry size and total yield.
Edible parts	fruit
Documented problems	3 diseases, 11 pests

At a Glance

Diseases

Cedar-quince rust

low

Gymnosporangium clavipes

Named directly by ISU.

Cedar apple rust

low

Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae

Named directly by ISU.

Fire blight

low

Erwinia amylovora

Named directly by ISU, explicitly described as rare.

Pests

Brown marmorated stink bug

low

Halyomorpha halys

Named directly by ISU.

Spotted wing drosophila

low

Drosophila suzukii

Named directly by ISU.

Birds (fruit)

low

Aves

Named by ISU.

Rabbits

low

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Named by ISU.

Cherry fruitworm

low

Grapholita packardi

Named directly by ISU.

Japanese beetle

low

Popillia japonica

Named directly by ISU.

Apple maggot

low

Rhagoletis pomonella

Named directly by ISU.

Tarnished plant bug

low

Lygus lineolaris

Named directly by ISU.

Grasshoppers

low

Caelifera

Named directly by ISU.

Mice

low

Muridae (mice, various spp.)

ISU names "small rodents" generically; recorded against the existing mice entity.

Deer

low

Cervidae

Growth Stages

1. Planting and establishment (BBCH 0): Full sun or partial shade -- ISU recommends full sun for best yields; RHS agrees full sun or partial shade. Water during the first 1-2 years of establishment, then only during very dry periods (ISU). Mature size varies with management, from as small as 3ft diameter up to nearly 8ft wide and tall (ISU); RHS gives a more modest 1.5-2.5m height, 2.5-4m spread over 5-10 years.
2. Flowering and pollination (BBCH 6): Self-fruitful -- ISU is specific that no pollinator is needed and only one cultivar is required for fruit set, though cross-pollination with another cultivar within 100ft improves both berry size and total yield.
3. Pruning (BBCH 3): ISU: prune in late winter or early spring before bud break, cutting at the base of the crown; remove canes once they reach 5 years old to maintain maximum fruit production, since canes reach peak productivity at 3 years old. RHS gives pruning group 1 or 2 for the UK ornamental context.
4. Fruiting and harvest (BBCH 8)

Harvest & Storage

When to pick: ISU: harvest late August through mid-September, over a broad 4-6 week window since fruit hangs well on the plant; based on sugar content, edible once it reaches 18% and able to climb to 22-24%. Fruit grows in loose clusters of 10-15 berries, each about 1/4in (0.6cm) across.

Storage

RHS notes the berries are bitter and highly astringent eaten raw.

Sources

1. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (Yard and Garden) - Growing Aronia in Iowa

   Site: full sun to partial shade, full sun recommended for best yields; slightly acidic soil with 2-3% organic matter preferred; tolerates poorly and excessively drained soils, well-drained preferred. Planting: purchased in 3 or 5 gallon pots; water first 1-2 years then only in very dry periods. Size: as small as 3ft diameter to nearly 8ft wide/tall depending on management. Self-fertility: self-fruitful, no pollinator needed, one cultivar sufficient; cross-pollination with another cultivar within 100ft improves berry size and total yield. Pruning: late winter/early spring before bud break, cut at the base of the crown, remove 5-year-old canes to maintain maximum production; canes reach maximum productivity at 3 years old. Harvest: late August through mid-September, window of 4-6 weeks; edible once sugar content reaches 18%, can reach 22-24%. Fruit: loose clusters of 10-15 berries, each about 1/4in diameter. Propagation: tissue culture. Pests/diseases: wildlife (deer, birds, rabbits, small rodents -- fencing recommended); insects (apple maggot, brown marmorated stink bug, cherry fruitworm, grasshoppers, Japanese beetle, spotted wing drosophila, tarnished plant bug); diseases (cedar-quince rust, cedar-apple rust, fire blight -- rare); overall "few major pest problems," relatively easy to grow.

These source is specific to this region. The full list of 2 sources behind this guide (Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (Yard and Garden), Royal Horticultural Society) is in the references of our UK guide to aronia; they describe the plant itself, which is the same wherever it grows.