Plant, Tree & Shrub Library

Other Names:  Iroquois Beauty Black Chokeberry

Description:

This versatile shrub has three-season interest with its fruit, foliage and flowers; widely adaptable to drought and moisture, can grow near bogs and streams as well as drier areas; fruit attracts wildlife, can use the berries to make jams and jellies

Ornamental Features

Iroquois Beauty Chokeberry features airy panicles of white flowers with brick red anthers at the ends of the branches in mid spring. It features an abundance of magnificent deep purple berries from late summer to late winter. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The glossy oval leaves turn an outstanding burgundy in the fall.

Landscape Attributes

Iroquois Beauty Chokeberry is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its average texture blends into the landscape, but can be balanced by one or two finer or coarser trees or shrubs for an effective composition.

This shrub will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. Gardeners should be aware of the following characteristic(s) that may warrant special consideration;

• Suckering

Iroquois Beauty Chokeberry is recommended for the following landscape applications;

• Mass Planting
• General Garden Use
• Naturalizing And Woodland Gardens

Planting & Growing

Iroquois Beauty Chokeberry will grow to be about 3 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 5 feet. It tends to be a little leggy, with a typical clearance of 1 foot from the ground. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 20 years.

This shrub should only be grown in full sunlight. It is an amazingly adaptable plant, tolerating both dry conditions and even some standing water. It is not particular as to soil type or pH, and is able to handle environmental salt. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution. This is a selection of a native North American species.