Wilson Bros Gardens Viking Chokeberry

While the berries are edible, they are quite tart and astringent when eaten raw. Most gardeners prefer to use them in cooked applications like jams, jellies, syrups, or baked desserts to balance their intense flavor.

Since the Viking Black Chokeberry reaches a mature spread of 4 to 6 feet, you should space them about 4 to 5 feet apart on center if you want them to grow together into a continuous hedge.

Yes, this variety is known for its resilience and ability to tolerate urban pollution. It is an excellent choice for city landscapes where other, more sensitive shrubs might struggle.

Unfortunately, this shrub is not considered deer resistant. If you live in an area with a high deer population, you may need to use protective netting or repellent sprays to keep them from browsing on the foliage.

It requires regular watering during its first growing season to establish a healthy root system. Once established, it becomes quite drought tolerant, though it will perform best with consistent moisture in well-drained soil.

It offers a strong multi-season display: fragrant white flowers in the spring, dark berries in the summer, and a striking red foliage transformation in the autumn. As a deciduous shrub, it will lose its leaves and go dormant during the winter months.