Ground Hug® Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ PP31821)

Category: Shrubs | Shrubs Under 5’ | Edible Plants | Wildlife | Bird Habitat | Pollination | Urban Site | Rain Garden | Erosion Control Ground Hug® Black Chokeberry is a low-growing, spreading native shrub developed for landscapes that need durability, ground coverage, and seasonal interest. Reaching just 8–14 inches tall and spreading up to 3 feet wide, it forms a dense, weed-suppressing mat that reduces the need for mulch while stabilizing soil. In spring, dainty white flowers appear, supporting early pollinators. These are followed by dark purple berries in summer, which are highly valued by birds and other wildlife. Foliage remains dark green through the growing season before turning a beautiful orange-red in the fall, making this a reliable three-season performer. Ground Hug® can grow in many challenging sites including parking lot beds, slopes, urban landscapes, rain gardens, and roadside plantings. It can handle many soil conditions and is tolerant of drought and salt, which makes it an excellent choice for low-maintenance and high-impact plantings. This cultivar was developed by Dr. Mark Brand (University of Connecticut) as a compact selection of native Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa). NATIVE RANGE   Map courtesy of the USDA-NRCS Plant Database. Photos courtesy of Spring Meadow Nursery