Chokeberry

Family. Rosaceae.

Where does grow? Native to eastern North America.  

Description of the plant. Black chokeberry is a deciduous, multi-stemmed, upright shrub with a rounded crown up to 3 meters high. In nature, it grows in lowland forests, swamps and wet thickets, but sometimes in arid areas. It has glossy elliptical or obovate dark green leaves (5 - 8 cm long) with finely serrated edges. Young shoots and the underside of the leaf blade often have a thin felt pubescence. The flowers are small, white in corymbose inflorescences, with 5 petals, male and female, pollinated by insects, appear in the spring (in May). The berries are glossy, dark purple or black, about 1 cm in diameter with a tart and bitter taste, stored for a long time in the refrigerator. In the fall, it decorates itself with pink, orange or red leaves. It grows quickly and reaches its maximum height already in the first year. In some species, the leaves turn red in the fall, which gives the plant additional decorativeness.

Height . Up to 3 meters.

Planting and care

Growing, pruning 

The plants are unpretentious, they can withstand a very wide range of temperatures - up to - 25 °C, and soil types. In indoor conditions, to regulate the height, it is necessary to trim it, which is carried out in the spring.

Reproduction

By seeds, which are pre-soaked in water overnight, and then planted in a cold greenhouse with a temperature of about 15 ° C and kept there for up to 3 months. The seeds germinate in 1 - 3 months. Half-ripe cuttings in July-August. By dividing adult bushes. 

Temperature

Does not tolerate heat very well, the optimum temperature in summer is 20 - 22 °C, in winter a period of rest with a decrease in temperature is necessary.

How to transplant

As it grows, it is planted in fresh soil in the spring, every year.

Diseases and pests 

There are no serious problems with insects or diseases. Sometimes leaf spot and rot occur.  Of the harmful insects, garden bugs, weevils, sawflies, beech moths, hawthorn moths, mites and bark beetles can pose a certain danger.

Soil

Black chokeberry prefers medium-moist soil with good drainage. It adapts very easily to any type of substrate. It tolerates some drought.

When it blooms 

Flowering time is April – May.

Lighting

Partial shade from the hot summer sun, the rest of the time in a well-lit place.

Feeding

During the growing season, 2 times a month. 

Purpose

Chokeberry is known primarily as a plant that produces very healthy berries, and in combination with other fruits it is used to make juices, jams and preserves. Chokeberry juice has a unique taste, with a pleasant tartness, a bit like cranberry, but much sweeter. Ripe, shiny black ripe berries can be eaten fresh after a couple of autumn frosts. 

Air humidity

There are no special requirements.

Soil moisture

It loves well-moistened, sometimes even swampy soils, but is quite resistant to drought.

Note

Chokeberries have natural antibacterial and antifungal activity. Their high tannin content causes a sticky feeling in the mouth.