The chokeberry has already come a long way: It came from North America across the Atlantic to Russia - and from there to Europe. The undemanding plant is now available in many different cultivated forms, all of which are based on the three original wild forms Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry), Aronia arbutifolia (felty chokeberry) and Aronia prunifolia.
Smaller wild forms with tart fruits
The wild forms mentioned grow significantly lower, but more branched than their cultivated counterparts. The berries of the wild Aronia are also smaller and have a tart taste. This is mainly due to the higher concentration of tannic acid. The cultivated forms, on the other hand, were bred more in the direction of a milder / sweeter taste. The Aronia prunifolia variety is particularly widespread in Canada and the USA, although it is basically just a natural hybrid (i.e. crossing) of the two more common species Aronia melanocarpa and Aronia arbutifolia.
characteristics
The "black chokeberry" (Aronia melanocarpa), of which there are numerous different varieties from many European countries, is of particular importance for cultivation in the garden. However, only the high-yielding and very hardy variety "Hugin" from Sweden is one of the pure representatives of the "black chokeberry", all others are actually hybrid products. The real "black chokeberry" is characterized by six to ten millimeters in size, shiny black fruits and smaller, narrower leaves. The plants are not hairy. The hybrids, on the other hand, are characterized by larger leaves, fruits weighing 1.0 to 1.5 grams and purple-black color. In addition, these berries shine comparatively little. In contrast to the "black chokeberry", the bushes are slightly hairy.
Which aronia varieties are there?
1. Hugin - Swedish variety that is extremely hardy and very hardy. The shrub remains quite small and is therefore also suitable for planting in containers on the terrace or balcony.
2. Viking - This variety comes from cold Finland and is also very hardy. The fruits are comparatively large with a weight of 1.5 grams, and it is also a very high-yielding variant.
3. Nero - This Aronia is originally from Russia. It is currently the highest yielding and also the most commonly grown variety. It has larger umbels and reaches a fruit weight of between 1.0 and 1.5 grams. The fruits are very juicy and are ideal for jam and jelly production. It is a late maturing variety.
4. Rubina - Originating from Hungary, this Aronia is a cross between Viking and yet another Russian variety. The very tall (up to 3.5 meters!) growing shrub bears early-ripening, quite large berries weighing between 1.2 and 1.8 grams.
5. Aron - This Aronia from Denmark is richly fruiting, but produces many, but quite small fruits.
Of course, the varieties listed are not complete, as there are numerous other variants from all sorts of countries. However, the taste of the fruit is the same for all varieties, which is rather tart to sweetish-sour.
tips and tricks
It is not without reason that the Nero variety is cultivated so frequently: This Aronia is particularly productive even with little care, but is not at all susceptible to diseases and pest infestation. The fruit protects itself due to the high proportion of tannic acid in the peel - this makes it resistant to insects, etc. not very attractive.