Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa 'UCONNAM012' GROUND HOG)
Discover Aronia melanocarpa 'UCONNAM012' GROUND HOG, a dwarf Black chokeberry valued for ground cover, red fall color, and edible berries. Low maintenance.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ GROUND HOG is a highly valuable, compact cultivar of Black chokeberry, perfect for low-growing landscape applications. This dwarf selection is celebrated for its dense, prostrate growth habit, making it a superb shrubby ground cover that reaches only up to one foot tall while spreading up to three feet wide. Gardeners appreciate this cultivar for its four-season interest, featuring glossy green foliage that transitions into brilliant red and orange hues in the autumn, complemented by spring flowers and subsequent dark berries.
When placed in optimal conditions, this tough deciduous shrub offers supreme resilience and minimal upkeep. Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ GROUND HOG thrives across a wide soil spectrum, even handling moist or boggy sites, though fruit production peaks in full sun. It is an outstanding candidate for stabilizing slopes or brightening up bird gardens where its ornamental berries serve as wildlife forage.
This specific variety, often recognized as GROUND HOG, provides the traditional benefits of Black chokeberry—hardiness and adaptable culture—in a much more controlled and manageable form than its taller relatives. Its low stature ensures it integrates seamlessly into foreground planting areas without overwhelming neighboring specimens.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 3-8
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 0.75-1 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: May
- Bloom Description: White
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Low
How to Grow
For optimal establishment, plant Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ GROUND HOG best during the spring or fall, providing it with time to develop a strong root system before facing temperature extremes. This plant prefers well-drained soil but exhibits remarkable tolerance for poor drainage and even boggy conditions. Ensure it receives full sun for the most abundant blooms and deepest fall color, although it adapts well to light afternoon shade.
Watering should be consistent, especially during the first year after planting, keeping the soil medium moist but not waterlogged. Once established, Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ GROUND HOG requires medium water input. Little fertilization is necessary; in fact, over-fertilizing can lead to excessive, weaker growth.
Pruning requirements are minimal due to its dwarf nature. The primary cultural consideration involves managing potential spread, as the standard species tends to sucker. If you wish to keep the planting tight and contained where you desire the Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ GROUND HOG to function strictly as a neat ground cover, actively remove any root suckers that attempt to emerge outside the desired perimeter.
Landscape Uses
The chief recommended use for this cultivar is as a dense, shrubby ground cover, especially effective on embankments or slopes where its root structure aids in erosion control. Its low profile makes Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ GROUND HOG excellent for mass plantings in shrub borders where a uniform, low hedge effect is desired across wider spaces. It naturally handles wet soil, making it an ideal choice for softening pond or stream margins where other shrubs might struggle.
Combine this Black chokeberry selection with plants that appreciate similar full sun to part shade conditions and medium moisture, such as ornamental grasses or other low-maintenance perennials that offer contrasting texture. Its berries are highly attractive to birds, immediately qualifying it as a valuable component in any wildlife or bird garden design. Successfully incorporating Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ GROUND HOG provides vibrant color interest from spring bloom through fall foliage without demanding daily attention in maintenance.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Fruit Qualities
- Showy
- Edible
Noteworthy Characteristics
Aronia melanocarpa, commonly called black chokeberry, is noted for its clusters of white spring flowers, glossy green leaves, black autumn berries, and purple/red fall color. The genus name refers to the resemblance of the fruits to a species of Sorbus. The tart, astringent fruits are edible, though sometimes used for jams and jellies. ‘UCONNAM012’ is a dwarf selection characterized by its prostrate, densely branched habit, reaching 1’ tall and spreading to 3’. These globe-shaped, blue-black berries are highly attractive to birds, and this patent-protected plant is often marketed as GROUND HOG or GROUND HUG.
Tolerances
- Erosion
Potential Problems
This plant generally exhibits very few serious insect or disease issues, contributing significantly to its low maintenance profile. However, gardeners should remain aware of potential susceptibility to cosmetic issues such as leaf spots or occasional twig/fruit blight. Good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can help minimize fungal development on the foliage.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Black chokeberry suitable for?
Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ GROUND HOG is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 3 through 8.
How large does Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ GROUND HOG grow?
This dwarf cultivar typically matures to a height between 0.75 and 1 foot tall, spreading wider to cover an area of 2 to 3 feet.
What sun exposure does Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ GROUND HOG need?
It performs best in full sun for maximum fruiting, but it adapts successfully to locations receiving part shade.
When does Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ GROUND HOG bloom?
The small, white flowers appear in May, providing early season interest before the ornamental fruit set.
Conclusion
The Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ GROUND HOG offers gardeners an exceptionally durable, tidy, and colorful option, functioning perfectly as a low-maintenance ground cover or stabilization plant. Its resilience across various soil types, combined with its striking seasonal shifts, makes this Black chokeberry an indispensable choice for modern landscapes. Check your local USDA zone compatibility before planting this season to ensure this hardy shrub thrives for years to come.
Wildlife Benefits
The fruit production on the Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ GROUND HOG is a significant draw for local fauna. The round, blue-black berries ripen in the late season, providing a crucial food source for numerous bird species when other natural foods may be scarce. Planting this shrub near other seed-bearing or nectar-producing native plants can enhance your garden’s overall biodiversity support.
Companion Planting
Because this specific Black chokeberry variety tolerates wet conditions, it pairs excellently with moisture-loving companions that maintain a similar low profile. Consider planting it alongside native sedges (Carex species) or various low-growing astilbes if the area receives afternoon shade. In sunnier, drier conditions, complementing the dark foliage and red fall color of Aronia melanocarpa ‘UCONNAM012’ GROUND HOG with bright yellow native coreopsis or spreading hostas provides excellent contrast.
