{"title":"💜 Aronia Berries","description":"\u003ch2 data-end=\"222\" data-start=\"171\"\u003eAronia (Chokeberry) Collection – Hardy to Zone 2\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"581\" data-start=\"224\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAronia berries\u003c\/strong\u003e, also known as chokeberries, are exceptionally hardy, nutrient-dense shrubs suited to cold Canadian climates. \u003cstrong\u003eReliable to Zone 2, they thrive across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and other northern regions, producing abundant late-summer harvests rich in vitamin C and antioxidants → up to three times higher than blueberries. \u003c\/strong\u003eAronias are absolutely underrated, and highly regarded in many places, like Eastern Europe, for its nutritional value!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"635\" data-start=\"583\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWe carry two outstanding cultivars: \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"💜 Viking Aronia Berry\" href=\"https:\/\/prairiehardy.ca\/products\/viking-aronia-berry\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eViking\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Nero Aronia Berry\" href=\"https:\/\/prairiehardy.ca\/products\/nero-aronia-berry\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eNero\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"903\" data-start=\"637\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eViking\u003c\/strong\u003e is vigorous and highly productive, producing large berries and making an excellent choice for hedges, edible shelterbelts, and food forests. \u003cstrong\u003eNero\u003c\/strong\u003e is more compact and well suited to smaller spaces, while still delivering impressive yields and early production.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1173\" data-start=\"905\"\u003eBoth varieties produce clusters of purplish-black berries that r\u003cstrong\u003eipen from late August into September \u003c\/strong\u003eand offer a tart flavour for fresh eating, but especially for juice, wine, baking, jams, and jellies. Their white spring blossoms and \u003cstrong\u003evibrant red fall colour\u003c\/strong\u003e add strong ornamental appeal. Cold-hardy, productive, and beautiful, aronia is a dependable addition to any prairie landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"viking-aronia-berry","title":"Viking Aronia Berry","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eViking Aronia\u003c\/strong\u003e, also known as \u003cstrong\u003eViking Chokeberry\u003c\/strong\u003e originates from Finland. When compared to our native Aronia (\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAronia Melanocarpa)\u003c\/span\u003e which originates from Eastern Canada and has \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eastringent flavour, the \u003c\/span\u003eViking cultivar has less astringency with sweeter and more flavourful fruit.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eIt also produces large berries at around 1.5 cm (1\/2\") in diameter and impressive yields of up to 5 tons per acre once fully mature. It is very popular and grown \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecommercially\u003c\/span\u003e in Eastern Europe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBerries can be eaten fresh and add a nutritional boost when blended with other fruits as it has been well known to be high in vitamin C and antioxidants. It has up to three times more \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eantioxidants than blueberries!\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eViking Aronia\u003c\/strong\u003e has purplish-black berries that grow in clusters and have a deep maroon-coloured flesh. They are flavourful when mixed in juice and delicious in wine, baking, jams and jellies. The berries ripen by late August and into September.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eViking Aronia\u003c\/strong\u003e is an excellent choice for both hedges and edible shelter belts or food forests. This shrub will quickly produce fruits, often within just one growing season. Its stunning white blossoms and vibrant reddish-orange leaves make it a highly recommended ornamental addition to any garden.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eOn an interesting note, recent genetic testing indicates that the \u003cstrong\u003eViking Aronia\u003c\/strong\u003e is likely a hybrid between \u003cspan\u003eAronia Melanocarpa \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eand Sorbus Aucuparia (Mountain Ash).\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e: 2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.8 meters (6 feet)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.8 meters (6 feet)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Preference:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well drained \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight Exposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun, partial shade (produces sweeter fruit in full sun)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Self-fertile \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eAronia melanocarpa x \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eSorbus aucuparia 'Viking'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Prairie Hardy Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Bareroot 20-46 cm (8-18\")","offer_id":42463100469363,"sku":null,"price":26.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"220 ml Plug 15-30 cm (6-12\")","offer_id":42483659702387,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0050\/2261\/3602\/files\/VikingAroniaBerry001.png?v=1790734456"},{"product_id":"nero-aronia-berry","title":"Nero Aronia Berry","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOriginally bred in Russia in the early 20th century by the renowned plant breeder Ivan Michurin, Nero Aronia is a standout among chokeberries. \u003c\/strong\u003eWhile our native Aronia Melanocarpa, which hails from Eastern Canada, tends to have an astringent taste, the \u003cstrong\u003eNero\u003c\/strong\u003e cultivar offers a sweeter, more flavourful fruit with less astringency. Its large berries measure around 1.5 cm (1\/2\") in diameter. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmaller and more compact than the Viking aronia variety, \u003cstrong\u003eNero\u003c\/strong\u003e grows to a manageable height of around 1 meter (3 feet). Despite its size, Nero is an excellent producer, known for its ability to yield up to 3-4 tons per acre when fully mature. Its first berry harvest can be expected within 1-2 seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNero Aronia’s\u003c\/strong\u003e purplish-black berries grow in clusters and boast a deep maroon flesh. Packed with vitamin C and antioxidants—containing up to three times more antioxidants than blueberries—these berries provide a nutritional punch. They can be enjoyed fresh, blended with other fruits, or used in juice, wine, baking, jams, and jellies. The berries ripen from late August through September.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIdeal for hedges, \u003cstrong\u003eNero Aronia\u003c\/strong\u003e is an excellent addition to edible shelterbelts or food forests. Beyond its practical benefits, this shrub is highly ornamental, featuring stunning white blossoms in spring and vibrant reddish-orange foliage in the fall. Whether you're growing for fruit or beauty, \u003cstrong\u003eNero Aronia\u003c\/strong\u003e is a fantastic choice for your landscape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness Zone\u003c\/strong\u003e: 2\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 meter (3 feet)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpread:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1 meter (3 feet)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Preference:\u003c\/strong\u003e Well drained \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight Exposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun, partial shade (produces sweeter fruit in full sun)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePollination:\u003c\/strong\u003e Self-fertile \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eAronia melanocarpa 'Nero'\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Prairie Hardy Nursery","offers":[{"title":"Bareroot 20-46 cm (8-18\")","offer_id":42463100305523,"sku":null,"price":26.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true},{"title":"220 ml Plug 15-30 cm (6-12\")","offer_id":42483657998451,"sku":null,"price":20.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0050\/2261\/3602\/files\/NeroAronia.png?v=1790738169"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0050\/2261\/3602\/collections\/AroniaNero001.png?v=1772667116","url":"https:\/\/prairiehardy.ca\/collections\/aronia-berries.oembed","provider":"Prairie Hardy Nursery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}