Low Scape Hedger Chokeberry

Low Scape Hedger Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa 'UCONNAM166')

Low Scape Hedger Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa 'UCONNAM166') is a refined native shrub bred for narrow spaces and upright form, making it ideal for hedging in tight garden and urban environments. Part of Proven Winners' native shrub series, it offers deep green foliage, white spring flowers, black summer berries, and brilliant red-orange fall color. This cultivar delivers seasonal interest with a tidy vertical habit, making it a great choice for both ornamental and functional landscape design.

Distinctive Features

'Low Scape Hedger' grows 5 to 6 feet tall and only 2 to 3 feet wide, maintaining a slender, columnar shape that sets it apart from other chokeberries. White, nectar-rich flowers bloom in mid to late spring and are followed by small, glossy black berries in summer that attract birds and other wildlife. In fall, the foliage turns vivid shades of orange and red, creating a dramatic seasonal shift. Its form and adaptability make it ideal for screens, borders, or mass plantings where space is limited but impact is desired.

Growing Conditions

• Sun Exposure: Full sun to partial shade; best flowering and fall color in full sun.
• Soil: Tolerates a wide range of soils including clay, loam, and sandy types; performs best in moist, well-drained soil.
• Water: Moderate; adapts to both dry and wet sites once established.
• Humidity: Performs well in both humid and temperate regions with good air flow.
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 3�9; extremely cold hardy and heat tolerant.

Ideal Uses

• Focal Point Plantings: Narrow, upright shape and seasonal color make a bold vertical statement.
• Hedging and Screening: Uniform form is perfect for privacy screens and living fences in smaller spaces.
• Wildlife Gardens: Berries provide food for birds and flowers support early pollinators.
• Foundation Plantings: Narrow footprint allows for placement near buildings and walkways.
• Urban Landscapes: Handles pollution, poor soils, and confined planting areas with ease.

Low Maintenance Care

Low Scape Hedger is bred for durability and minimal upkeep, offering a clean, vertical growth habit that requires little intervention. It's resistant to most pests and diseases and handles a range of growing conditions with ease.

• Watering: Water regularly during establishment; mature plants tolerate brief drought and occasional wetness.
• Pruning: Rarely needed; prune in early spring to maintain height or rejuvenate as desired.
• Fertilizing: Not usually necessary; may apply compost or a balanced fertilizer in poor soils.
• Pest and Disease Resistance: Naturally resistant to major pests and diseases.
• Winter Care: Fully hardy; no winter protection needed.

Why Choose Low Scape Hedger Chokeberry?

Low Scape Hedger Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa 'UCONNAM166') combines native resilience with a modern, upright habit that suits today�s compact landscapes. Its year-round appeal, wildlife benefits, and adaptability make it a standout in both residential and commercial designs.

• Space-Saving Structure: Tall and narrow form is ideal for tight borders and foundation plantings.
• Seasonal Interest: Offers white flowers, black berries, and rich fall color in one package.
• Wildlife Supportive: Native nectar and fruit attract birds and pollinators.
• Low Maintenance: Minimal pruning, wide soil tolerance, and high adaptability.
• Cold Hardy and Heat Tolerant: Performs across a wide geographic range from Zones 3 to 9.

For a sleek, upright native shrub that brings structure, seasonal color, and ecological benefits to compact spaces, Low Scape Hedger Chokeberry is a reliable and attractive solution.