Proven Winners Low Scape Mound® Chokeberry

1. Planting: Choose a location with full sun to partial shade (4-6 hours of sunlight) and well-drained soil. Low Scape Mound® Chokeberry adapts to a variety of soil types, including wet or boggy soils. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and of equal depth. Place the plant in the hole, backfill with soil, and water thoroughly to eliminate air pockets. Mulch around the base to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

2. Watering: Water regularly after planting to help establish strong roots, ensuring the soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once established, this shrub is drought-tolerant and requires minimal watering, though occasional deep watering during prolonged dry spells will promote healthy growth.

3. Pruning: Pruning is generally not necessary for this compact shrub, but light trimming in late winter or early spring can maintain its tidy shape.

4. Fertilizing: Low Scape Mound® Chokeberry thrives without heavy fertilization. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in early spring before new growth begins to encourage vibrant foliage and blooms. Avoid over-fertilizing, as it may result in reduced flowering.

5. Harvesting: The late summer to early fall seasons are when you will be looking to see if your berries are ready to be picked. They tend to be a lot sweeter if left on the bush after the first initial frost of the season. If there is any hint of red to the color of the berries then they are not ready to be harvested. The picking of the ripened berries is very easy. Simply grab a cluster of the berries and drag your hands down (tying a bucket to your waist is handy to keep both hands free for mass harvesting).

There are multiple benefits to adding an chokeberry plant to your property. It is a very ornamental and resilient plant. It adapts to the surrounding natural ecosystem, able to withstand invasions from insects and diseases as well as the natural variations in the climate. Like a persimmon tree, chokeberry berries will sweeten more after a freeze. Many enjoy the antioxidant rich berries for juicing, baking, and jellies. Even if the berries are of no use to you, you can enjoy a lovely cache of birds feasting upon them during the cold of winter.