Native to the swamps and low lying woodlands of Eastern North America, Aronia melanocarpa is a shrub with small clusters of white flowers in spring followed by round, purplish-black berries in autumn that last into winter. These berries are edible and can be used for cooking or making jams, but the fruit itself is astringent and should be fully ripe before eating.
Aronia melanocarpa is deciduous and has bright green leaves which turn red and orange in the autumn before falling. An unusual and ornamental garden shrub!