These varieties are the most common

Smaller wild forms with tart fruits

The wild forms mentioned grow significantly lower, but more branched than their cultivated counterparts. They are too Wild chokeberry berries smaller and tart taste. This is mainly due to the higher concentration of tannic acid. The cultivated forms, on the other hand, were bred more towards 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. H. Cross) from the two more common species Aronia melanocarpa and Aronia arbutifolia.

Characteristics

For the Cultivation in the garden The “black chokeberry” (Aronia melanocarpa) is of particular importance, of which there are numerous different varieties from many European countries. However, only the richly bearing and very hardy variety "Hugin" from Sweden is one of the pure representatives of the "black chokeberry", all others are actually cross-breeding products. The real "black chokeberry" is characterized by six to ten millimeters large, glossy 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 in 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 robust. The shrub remains quite small and is therefore also suitable for planting in pots on the terrace or balcony.

2. Viking - This variety comes from cold Finland and is also very robust. 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 originally comes from Russia. It is currently the most productive and also the most widely grown variety. It has larger cone grapes and has a fruit weight of between 1.0 and 1.5 grams. The fruits are very juicy and are ideal for making jams and jellies. It is a late ripening variety.

4. Rubina - This Hungarian aronia is a cross between Viking and another Russian variety. The very tall (up to 3.5 meters!) Growing shrub bears quite large berries that ripen early and weigh between 1.2 and 1.8 grams.

5. Aronia - This aronia from Denmark is richly fruity, but bears a lot of, but rather small, fruits.

The varieties listed are of course not complete, as there are numerous other varieties from all possible countries. However, the taste of the fruit is the same for all varieties, which ranges from tart to sweet and sour.

Tips & Tricks

There is a reason why the Nero variety is grown so frequently: Even with little care, this aronia is particularly productive, but not at all susceptible to diseases and pest infestation. The fruit protects itself through the high proportion of tannic acid in the skin - this makes it safe for insects and the like. a. not very attractive.