Aronia x prunifolia 'Viking' (Purple chokeberry 'Viking')

Botanical name

Aronia x prunifolia 'Viking'

Other names

Purple chokeberry 'Viking', Aronia melanocarpa 'Viking', Black chokeberry 'Viking'

Genus

Aronia Aronia

Variety or Cultivar

'Viking' _ 'Viking' is an erect, branching shrub with ovate, glossy, dark green leaves, hairy beneath and turning orange, purple and red in autumn. Clusters of white, sometimes pink-flushed, flowers in late spring are followed by spherical, purple-black, edible, sour fruit ready for harvest in late summer and early autumn.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Erect

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Colour

Flower

Flushed pink, White in Spring; White in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Red, Purple, Orange in Autumn

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 1 or 2.

Propagation methods

Softwood cuttings, Suckers

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Aronia x prunifolia 'Viking' (Purple chokeberry 'Viking') will reach a height of 2m and a spread of 1.5m after 10-20 years.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, City, Cottage/Informal, Low Maintenance, Wildlife

Cultivation

Plant in moist but well-drained soil in sun or light shade. Autumn colour is best if planted in a sunny position.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Aronia x prunifolia 'Viking' (Purple chokeberry 'Viking')

Common pest name

grape ground pearl

Scientific pest name

Margarodes vitis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Main pathway; Vitis spp. plants for planting; already prohibited. However; further consideration of other pathways is required.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Aronia x prunifolia 'Viking' (Purple chokeberry 'Viking')

Common pest name

Cedar-Quince rust; Quince rust; Rust of apple; Rust of juniper; Rust of quince

Scientific pest name

Gymnosporangium clavipes

Type

Fungus

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

EU regulated rust disease which helps mitigate against introduction. A review of EU regulations will help to ensure that all hosts are regulated.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Aronia x prunifolia 'Viking' (Purple chokeberry 'Viking')

Common pest name

Lance nematode; Nematode; Lance

Scientific pest name

Hoplolaimus spp.

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Nematode species potentially affecting a wide variety of crops; prohibition of soil likely to mitigate risk substantially; keep under review in light of interceptions or findings should they occur in the EU.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/