Low Scape Snowfire™ Aronia

Size

The Low Scape Snowfire aronia is a stunner from spring through fall that is easy to maintain for an added benefit. This deciduous shrub also goes by the name chokeberry, and it is a heavy bloomer that will be covered in an avalanche of dainty white flowers by mid-spring. The blooms stand out against the stately green foliage. By late summer or early fall, the flowers give way to berries. The berries are edible, but they are more palatable when cooked. During the fall, the foliage turns to a blazing red-orange hue. This shrub is native to eastern North America and is commonly found in damp wooded areas and swamps. Aronia can handle wet, waterlogged soil with poor drainage. Low Scape Snowfire aronia can be used as a hedge, foundation, or specimen planting. Aronia grows as a perennial in USDA zones 3 through 9. Low Scape Snowfire™ Aronia Care This flowering shrub needs at least 4 hours of sunlight during the growing season, and it craves part to full sun. It is tolerant of all soil types, but slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6 to 6.5 is ideal. Chokeberries need consistently damp soil. This plant can live in wet conditions with slow draining, but too much moisture may limit berry production. The ideal spot will have plenty of bright sunlight and damp but well-draining soil. Trim away dead or damaged growth, but otherwise, aronia requires very little pruning. Flowers bloom on old growth, and pruning after the blooms fade will reduce the berry yield. Aronia will send up shoots or suckers, which will develop into new plants and also reduce berry production on the original shrub. Shoots can be removed and propagated to create new plants without impacting berry production. Amend the soil with organic compost or manure when planting; otherwise, chokeberry shrubs do not need to be fertilized. Low Scape Snowfire™ Aronia Spacing The Low Scape Snowfire Aronia grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide. If using this shrub as a specimen or focal point, space other plants 5 to 6 feet away from the center, so the plant will have enough room and the striking foliage will stand out. Aronia also makes an excellent hedge or foundation planting, in which case the shrubs should be spaced 3 to 4 feet center to center, so when the plants fill in, they will create a continuous wall of foliage.