Autumn Magic Black Chokeberry

[MN Shutterbug]

Anybody ever planted these bushes? If so, how did they do?

[Steve Foss]

I don't know what chokeberry is.

[MN Shutterbug]

Google it.

[Steve Foss]

Google it.

Naw, I'll just wait for someone to chime in with their perspective.

[Dotch]

Um, I'm not positive on the variety but we have a row of chokes about 200' long in the windbreak here. Got them through the local SWCD tree program and added them to the existing planting. Low growing, about 5' - 6' tall when full grown if I remember reading the guide right. These are about 3' tall now after a couple seasons. So far so good. Birds love the berries and while the bunnies like to chew the shrubs, somehow their population has taken a bit of a dive over the past couple years... Easy to grow and tough, they've had little special care. They're surprisingly juicy, tasty treats when mowing the windbreak in late August-early Sept., much more palatable than a choke cherry. Reputedly they make a good jelly/jam too. By the end of September, the birds have eaten them all though. Oh well, guess that was the intent when we planted them.