Ground Hug Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa 'Ground Hug'
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Groundcover
Height
14 inches
Width
36 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Water
Adaptable
Humidity
Adaptable
Lifespan
Long-lived
Native To
Eastern North America
Toxicity
Non-toxic
The Story
Plant Bio
Aronia melanocarpa, or Black Chokeberry, is a tough, adaptable North American native shrub known for its white spring flowers, dark purple-black berries, and brilliant red fall color. Ground Hug is a unique, low-growing, suckering selection that forms a dense groundcover. It offers all the toughness and multi-season interest of the species in a landscape-friendly, weed-suppressing mat.
Bloom Period:
Uses & Benefits:
Marketplace
Where to Buy
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Planting
How to Grow
- Select a site in sun or part shade; soil type is not critical.
- Space plants about 3 feet apart for a solid groundcover.
- Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root ball.
- Set the plant at the same depth it was growing in the pot.
- Backfill with soil and water well to settle.
- Keep watered during the first season to encourage spreading.
Pro Tip
For the best fall color and fruit production, plant in a location that receives at least six hours of direct sun.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Allow it to spread naturally to form a dense colony.
- Use it on slopes or banks to help control soil erosion.
- Provide supplemental water during extreme drought to keep it looking its best.
- Enjoy the spring flowers, summer berries, and fall color.
Don't
- Do not plant in deep shade, which will reduce flowering and fruiting.
- Avoid planting in a small, tidy border where its suckering habit is undesirable.
- Don't worry about poor soil; it is highly adaptable.
- Don't fertilize; it thrives in average to lean soils.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mulch | ||||||||||||
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Prune |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Ground Hug Chokeberry questions
What zones can Ground Hug Chokeberry grow in?
Ground Hug Chokeberry is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Ground Hug Chokeberry deer resistant?
Yes — Ground Hug Chokeberry is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Ground Hug Chokeberry bloom?
Ground Hug Chokeberry typically blooms in mid-spring through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Ground Hug Chokeberry need full sun?
Ground Hug Chokeberry does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Is Ground Hug Chokeberry drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Ground Hug Chokeberry handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
More Aronia to compare
Viking Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa 'Viking'
Brilliant Black Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa 'Brilliantissima'
Autumn Magic Black Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa 'Autumn Magic'
Low Scape Mound Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa 'Low Scape Mound'
Low Scape Hedger Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa 'Low Scape Hedger'
Iroquois Beauty Black Chokeberry
Aronia melanocarpa 'Morton'
Keep exploring
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Grow Ground Hug Chokeberry with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.
