Purple Aronia

Aronia x prunifolia

Origin: Eastern North America (via the Netherlands)

Improvement status: Cultivated

Seeds per packet: ~50

BOTANICAL SAMPLE - NOT GERMINATION TESTED

Life cycle: Perennial

Purple aronia is a naturally occurring hybrid of — predictably enough — black aronia and red aronia (Aronia melanocarpa and Aronia arbutifolia). It's native to eastern North America and can be found from Nova Scotia to Wisconsin to South Carolina, with a reported isolated population in southern Alabama as well. Interestingly, in some parts of its range it is found in places where neither parent grows (most of Michigan, for instance), so some taxonomists believe it deserves recognition as its own species by now, despite its hybrid origin (many species began as hybrids, after all). The botanical name for the new species would be Aronia floribunda, but it's not clear if this new name is official yet. But a rose by any other name... 

The antioxidant-rich dark purple berries of purple aronia are too astringent to be enjoyed raw, but are excellent for use in jams, jellies, wine, vinegar, syrup, tea, tinctures, etc. Like its parent species, this aronia's berries are associated with all sorts of positive health outcomes, with indications that consumption can help with digestion, intestinal health, inflammation, diabetes, heart health, and stomach disorders, and more.

Our Netherlands-grown seed comes from the good folks at Sheffield's Seeds in Locke, NY.

GROWING TIPS: Prefers acid soil. Cold-moist stratify seeds for 60 days. Hardy to USDA Zone 5. Can survive in shade, but plants in full sun will produce much more fruit.

NOTE:  Photo comes from Doug McGrady and is shared under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.