Aronia

Aronia melanocarpa 'Viking'

fruit

Viking Aronia (Black Chokeberry) is a hardy native US shrub with one of the highest antioxidant levels of any fruit on Earth. The 6 to 8 ft upright bushes produce abundant white spring flowers followed by clusters of deep blue-black berries with a tart astringent flavor that mellows beautifully in juice, jam, syrup, and wine. The glossy summer foliage turns flame orange-red in fall.

✅ Plant alongside

Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests

• Garlic — Sulfur compounds discourage aphids
• Comfrey — Mineral-mining mulch returns potassium to surface roots
• White Clover — Nitrogen-fixing living mulch in the aisles
• Yarrow — Attracts beneficial parasitic wasps

🛡️ Pest & disease prevention

Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide

• Japanese beetles →

  Hand-pick adults into soapy water; never use pheromone traps

• Birds →

  Aronia is more astringent than blueberries, so birds bother it less, but netting helps in heavy bird pressure

• Aphids →

  Blast with water, encourage ladybugs and lacewings

• Powdery mildew →

  Site for airflow; rarely a serious problem on Aronia

🌾 Harvest & storage

Viking Aronia ripens in late summer (August into September). Look for deep blue-black color with no red tint; red means underripe. Harvest by grabbing a cluster and dragging fingers down the stem; ripe berries strip easily. Berries hang on the bush long after ripening and sweeten with the first frost, so leave some for later picking. Fresh berries are astringent for eating; process into juice, jam, wine, or freeze for smoothies and baking.

🥗 Nutrition & benefits

About 47 calories per 100 g with 5.6 g fiber, 21 mg vitamin C, and the highest measured anthocyanin content of any temperate fruit (about 1500 mg per 100 g, several times that of blueberries). Studies of aronia extract have shown notable effects on blood pressure, blood sugar regulation, and cardiovascular markers.