Black Chokeberrynative cultivar
Aronia melanocarpa 'Low Scape Mound' · Rosaceae
Field guide
Low Scape Mound is a dwarf, mounding selection of native black chokeberry, 12–24 in. tall and wide, with glossy dark-green foliage, white spring flowers (red anthers), blue-black late-summer fruit and brilliant red-scarlet fall color. Extremely adaptable to wet or dry soils, sun or part shade, salt and urban conditions, it suits mass groundcover, edging and rain gardens. As a cultivar of a native species it retains much wildlife value but spreads vigorously by suckers.
Gardener's notes
This is a workhorse for tough wet-or-dry spots, giving three seasons of interest. Just know it suckers, so give it room to colonize or chop runners each spring. Prune right after bloom only if you must, since cutting later sacrifices the berries birds want.
Ecology
- Pollinators: spring native bees, honeybees
- Larval host for: Rosaceae feeders incl. coral hairstreak, brown elfin (genus-level)
- Birds: late-season fruit (astringent, persists)
Care this season
- Pruning: prune right after bloom (cutting later sacrifices the berries birds want)
- Watch for: suckers aggressively 3–4 ft from the plant; remove runners each spring to contain
- Toxicity: none (fruit edible, astringent—juice/jam)
Meaning
Aronia from Greek aria; melanocarpa = black fruit. Chokeberry reflects the mouth-puckering astringency; antioxidant-rich fruit makes juice, jam and wine. Loved for tidy toughness.
Sources
- Aronia 'Low Scape Mound' — Proven Winners
- Aronia melanocarpa — Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes: Compact mounded form vs the 3–6 ft species; retains flower/fruit/fall color and wildlife value. Multiple growers report aggressive suckering.