The Native Berry Shrub That'll Have Birds Flocking To Your Yard Throughout Fall

As helpful as it is to set up a birdfeeder for local birds, it's always nice to also grow plants that provide them with food through cold months as well. The best of these plants doesn't just benefit your avian friends, but also gives your yard multi-season interest and can thrive in challenging spots where other plants may struggle. With berries that can make an excellent fall and winter food source for local birds as well as an interesting jam or jelly option for you, black chokeberries (Aronia melanocarpa) are a perfect native shrub for bringing color and wildlife appeal to your landscape.

Native to eastern North America, black chokeberries thrive in zones 3 through 8. While many cultivars can reach 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide, the popular 'Iroquois Beauty' variety doesn't grow taller than 3 or 4 feet, making it ideal for smaller spaces. In addition to providing food for birds during fall and winter months, black chokeberries are also great for pollinators during spring and early summer months, thanks to their dainty pink or white flowers. Because many chokeberry varieties have stunning autumn colors, they also make fantastic alternatives to beautiful but invasive burning bush plants.

Part of black chokeberries' appeal is their ability to thrive in locations where other plants may not. They thrive in both part shade and full sun and, unlike many plants, they aren't bothered by poorly draining soil. They can flourish in everything from sandy to clay heavy soils, and can also tolerate salt and both an acidic and alkaline soil pH.

Black chokeberries are sometimes vulnerable to damage from deer, so you may have to put some effort into keeping deer out of your yard if you don't want them nibbling your plants. You may also want to prune back some of the suckers on your plants if you don't want your chokeberries to take over your yard. Whether you plant them alone or with their relative, the red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), black chokeberries are an ideal way to beautify your yard while also attracting more songbirds to your garden.