Viking Chokeberry

Light Needs

Partial Shade to Full Sun

(At Least 3 Hours of Direct Sunlight)

Mature Height

5 - 6 Feet

Mature Spread

5 - 6 Feet

Growing Zones

3 to 8

Viking Chokeberry is a treasure for small landscapes. It blooms profusely in spring with delicate, white clusters of flowers. In summer, the flowers mature to edible black berries with exceptional antioxidant properties. The berries can be used to make delicious jams or jellies or can be left for birds to eagerly enjoy. In fall, the show turns to a fabulous display of brilliant purple and red foliage.   

This is a multi stemmed deciduous shrub that maxes out at 5 - 6 feet high and wide. It is self-pollinating and produces plenty of fruit with only one plant. It is exceptionally cold hardy to zone 3, salt tolerant, deer resistant and disease resistant. Viking chokeberry is an excellent candidate for restorative planting in natural areas. Plant it in a mixed border, woodland area, edible garden, or at the edge of a pond. 

Viking Chokeberry Care

Viking chokeberry grows well in full sun to part shade, but fruits best in sun. It is very adaptable to a range of growing conditions including clay, sandy, dry and boggy soils. This shrub prefers slightly acidic soil, but will adapt to other pH levels. Water it deeply each week during the first few growing seasons until the roots become established. Apply a thick layer of organic mulch around the base of the plant, but not touching the trunk.

Prune this shrub in late winter by removing up to one third of the oldest branches. Remove root suckers as they appear with a pair of sharp pruning shears. 

Viking Chokeberry Spacing

Plant these shrubs approximately 5 feet apart, so that each plant has adequate space to mature. This shrub will spread by suckers and can naturalize over time if suckers are not removed.