A Chokeberry Bush in a black nursery pot on wet pavement, with clusters of dark berries among its green leaves.

Branches of Chokeberry Bush carrying clusters of small white and pale pink flowers against a blurred green lawn.

Nursery grown

Chokeberry Bush

Name: Chokeberry Bush
Brand: Chokeberry Bush

Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima'

Brilliantissima Red Chokeberry with Scarlet Fall Color

$99.71 3 GALLON

Size

Quantity1

Scarlet fall color and glossy red berries that often last into winter
Tolerates wet sites and occasional flooding, and drier soil once established
Native shrub, 6 to 12 feet tall, with white spring flowers for pollinators

Secure checkoutShips in its nursery containerGrowing guides included

About this plant

Brilliantissima is a red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America and grown for its scarlet fall color. White to light pink flowers in May give way to glossy red berries that ripen in fall and often hang on into winter. It grows slowly to about 6 to 12 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide, in full sun to part shade, and it handles wet sites and occasional flooding as well as drier soil once established. The berries are edible but very astringent raw, deer browse it, and it suckers to form colonies, so remove suckers where you want it to stay put.

Your plant arrives in a nursery container, ready to transplant. Plant on arrival or hold in a sheltered spot if weather is extreme. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil. Keep soil consistently moist for the first two weeks, then transition to your regular watering schedule as the plant establishes.

Chokeberry for Wet Corners and Borders

This native shrub copes with both wet and dry soil, which widens your choices.

Rain garden

It tolerates wet soil once established, so it can sit in the low spot where water collects.

Back of the border

At 6 to 12 feet, it fills the back of a shrub border and turns scarlet in fall.

Native hedge

Planted 3 to 5 feet apart, shrubs knit into an informal hedge with white spring flowers and red winter berries.

Bee border

Spring blooms feed pollinators, and switchgrass or purple coneflower fill in beside it.

Not ideal for: Deep shade reduces fall color and fruit, which are best in full sun.

Good to know: The berries are edible but very astringent raw, and deer browse it, so protect plants where deer are heavy.

Chokeberry Bush at a glance

Botanical name	Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima'
Plant type	deciduous shrub (native red chokeberry)
USDA zones	3-9
Mature height	6-12 ft
Mature width	3-6 ft, suckers to form colonies
Sun	full sun to part shade; best fall color and fruiting in full sun
Water	moderate; tolerates wet/poorly-drained soil (native to swampy sites) and, once established, moderate drought
Bloom time	mid to late spring (April-May, varies by zone)
Bloom color	white to light pink
Growth rate	slow
Deer resistance	low (deer browse it)
Best planting time	early spring or fall

Container sizes explained

#1 / 1 Gallon	A trade one gallon pot (about 6.5 inches). One to two seasons older than a quart, with an established root system.
#2 / 2 Gallon	A trade two gallon pot. Common for peonies and perennials that need root room; usually blooms the first or second year.
#3 / 3 Gallon	A trade three gallon pot (about 10 inches). A well-developed shrub or small tree, often 2 to 4 feet tall on arrival.

Questions before you buy

What is the difference between the 2-gallon and 3-gallon sizes?

Both arrive in nursery containers ready to plant. The 3-gallon has a larger root system. Both will reach the same mature size and typically flower within 2-3 years of planting.

When should I plant my chokeberry after it arrives?

Plant on arrival if conditions allow. If weather is extreme, hold the plant in a sheltered spot for a day or two. Water thoroughly after planting to settle the soil.

How big does this chokeberry get?

Red chokeberry grows slowly to about 6 to 12 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide. NC State describes 'Brilliantissima' as a compact selection with abundant fruit and flowers. It spreads by root suckers and can form a colony unless the suckers are removed.

Does chokeberry need full sun?

Chokeberry tolerates full sun to partial shade, but performs best in full sun, which brings out the most vibrant fall color and promotes abundant flowering. Plant in full sun if your site allows it, though partial shade is acceptable.

What hardiness zones does this chokeberry handle?

This chokeberry is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9. It tolerates cold winters and adapts well to various soil types and moisture conditions.

What should I do the first year after planting?

Keep soil consistently moist for the first two weeks after planting, then transition to regular watering as the plant establishes. Chokeberry tolerates wet and average soil, so adjust watering based on rainfall. This shrub is low-maintenance.