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Aronia plantsAdvice

Tips from the aronia experts!

Planting aronia in your own garden? Great choice! Here you’ll find planting and pruning guides for potted plants and bare-root stock, plus everything you need to know about Aronia Nero, our recommendation from over 30 years of cultivation.

Ripe aronia berries are inspected on the bush
Step by step

How to plant your aronia correctly

Please care for bare-root Aronia Nero immediately upon receipt to ensure successful growth.
Storage

Protect roots from sun, dryness and frost. Until planting, heel in the shrubs or store them in a wind-sheltered place, covering the roots with damp sacks.

Planting & pruning time

Plant from March to May and from September to November. Prune in late autumn, winter, or early spring. This is rarely necessary.

Preparation

Loosen the soil, remove weeds, and fertilize organically if needed (horn meal, compost, manure). Trim the root tips and shorten shoots by 2/3. Leave one central shoot as the leading shoot.

Planting & fertilization

Dig a planting hole larger than the root volume, place the plant centrally, and cover up to the root collar. The surface may be 2–3 cm higher, as it will settle with rain. Water thoroughly.

Harvest & care

Aronia is self-fertile and bears fruit from the 2nd year. Harvest from late August/early September when the berries are dark red inside. Caution: The berries stain heavily!

Aronia Nero grown in pots establish easily, as they retain almost all roots when transplanted. Pruning before planting is not necessary.
Preparation

Loosen the soil and remove weeds, work in organic fertilizer if needed. Water the plant thoroughly before planting and remove it from the pot.

Planting

Do not plant higher or lower than in the nursery pot. Add about 2–3 cm of soil over the root ball and press down gently without compacting the depth. Water thoroughly and avoid midday sun.

Watering & fertilizing

Peat substrate dries out faster than garden soil, so check regularly. Fertilize organically (horn meal, compost, manure); avoid highly calcareous soil. Bark mulch prevents drying out.

Pruning

Formative pruning in the 1st and 2nd year: remove crossing and overly close shoots. Later, remove individual shoots at the base. Vigorous pruning leads to strong regrowth.

Harvest

Self-fertile, bears fruit from the 2nd year. Harvest ripe berries from late August/early September when they are dark red inside.

Pruning guide

How to prune aronia correctly

less is more!

Use sharp tools and cut just above a bud. When planting, shorten shoots to about 40 cm and remove crossing shoots. Leave one central shoot as the leading shoot. Potted plants do not need pruning at planting time.

Afterwards, only formative pruning is needed in the first and second year: remove overly close shoots and shorten the main shoot for stronger branching. Later, remove individual shoots at the base to rejuvenate the shrub. Rule of thumb: Vigorous pruning leads to strong regrowth.

Detailed guide (PDF)
Graphic: Cross-section of the aronia plant
formative pruning
Graphic: Rejuvenation pruning of the aronia plant
rejuvenation pruning
Aronia Nero — four-year-old potted plantOur recommendation
The benefits

Why Aronia Nero?

A newly cultivated variation of the most popular aronia variety, developed over 30 years of breeding. Its home: the Elbe Valley between Dresden and Meißen, where our growing partners have been cultivating their Elbaronia plantations for decades.

Resistant to heat and frost
Almost resistant to fungi and bacteria
Higher yield, above-average fruit size
Steady, even growth, so little pruning needed

The firm-fleshed, deep-black berries grow in clusters and are easy to harvest. Their fruity, aromatic taste makes them especially popular with children.

Aronia plants in the shop

Aronia Nero and accessories, directly from the aronia specialist.
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