Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliantissima' is a deciduous shrub prized for its brilliant red berries, showy white spring flowers, and fiery fall foliage. It supports year round interest while being highly adaptable to a range of soil conditions including wet or dry sites. This cultivar, known for its more intense fruit and compact size, is particularly effective in naturalistic plantings, rain gardens, or as a vibrant hedge that supports wildlife.
Height & Spread: 6 - 8 ft x 4 - 6 ft
Bloom Time: Mid to late spring
Light Requirements: Full sun to part shade
Soil Preference: Tolerates a wide range, including wet and poorly drained soils
Watering Needs: Average to moist; tolerates occasional drought once established
Deer Resistance: Moderately deer resistant due to bitter tasting foliage
Native Status
This cultivar derives from Aronia arbutifolia, a species native to eastern North America. It is well adapted to native landscapes and supports many regional ecosystems.
WILDLIFE & INSECTS
Bees
- Attracts a wide variety of native bees including mining bees and small carpenter bees that rely on early spring nectar and pollen sources.
Butterflies
- Flowers offer nectar to butterflies such as Spring Azures and Red Admirals especially valuable in early bloom seasons.
Birds
- Fall and winter berries provide a critical late season food source for songbirds like American Robins, Cedar Waxwings, and Northern Mockingbirds.
Beneficial Insects
- Supports syrphid flies and parasitic wasps which assist in aphid and caterpillar control throughout the growing season.
Spacing & Landscape Use
Spacing Recommendations:
- Space 5 - 8 ft apart depending on intended use as a hedge or specimen plant. Wider spacing encourages berry production by increasing air and light exposure.
Landscape Placement:
- Use in hedgerows, rain gardens, or naturalized shrub borders to bring seasonal color and ecological function to native or wildlife focused plantings.
Companion Plants
- Amelanchier canadensis (Serviceberry) - Offers sequential blooms and fruit with high wildlife value and complementary habit.
- Andropogon gerardii (Big Bluestem) - Tall native grass adds vertical movement and supports nesting cover for birds and insects.
- Clethra alnifolia (Summersweet) - Fragrant midsummer blooms attract pollinators and thrive in similar moist soil conditions.
- Lindera benzoin (Spicebush) - Provides a similar habitat function with early yellow blooms and fall color supporting swallowtail butterflies.
- Ilex verticillata 'Red Sprite' - Enhances the visual impact of Aronia’s berries while serving similar ecological functions for birds.