Aronia in America

     Aronia in America blog is about growing Aronia melanocarpa and its cultivars in home landscapes and gardens, as well as in commercial aronia berry plantations.  Topics include personal experiences and research based information, in addition to stories about antioxidant content and health benefits of the fruit, insect and disease pests, critter control, native range, habitat, soil preferences, cultural practices, environmental benefits, economic benefits, potential for growth of the commercial aronia berry industry in North America.

     Aronia berries have the highest antioxidant content of any of the commonly grown small fruit.  As an added bonus, these beautiful shrubs are loaded with fragrant white flowers, dark green leaves all summer long, and bright red-orange fall foliage color.

      Aronia melanocarpa is a perennial, deciduous shrub, native to the north-eastern quarter of the United States.  Its native range extends north from Iowa into Canada, south into north Georgia, and northwest into New England.

      Aronia is cold hardy to at least USDA Zone 3 (-40 degrees Fahrenheit). The cold tolerant blooms open in late spring avoiding most spring frosts.  The plants grow well on various soil types from boggy soils that are poorly drained to well-drained sites.  The optimum pH is slightly acid (6-6.5) but aronia will tolerate a wider pH range (5-8.5).

     Dr. Eldon Everhart is the owner of  Everhart Horticulture Consulting.  Our family owned business provides advice and services to gardeners and businesses about aronia berries, gardening, and herbicide drift. Our services include expert witness service, business plan & grant proposal writing, hands-on workshops, and PowerPoint presentations.  We do face-to-face or Webcast educational programs all over the US and beyond.  Our consultations and presentations are tailored for length, content, and the size and type of audience.  Visit our website for a partial list of educational topics.  Call us at 712-254-4035 or visit our website for pricing.