Aronia melanocarpa 'Ground Hug' is a unique and innovative cultivar of the North American native black chokeberry that offers exceptional landscape value through its low-growing, spreading growth habit. Unlike the more upright, shrub-like forms of Aronia, 'Ground Hug' develops a prostrate, mat-forming growth pattern, typically reaching just 8-12 inches in height while spreading 3-4 feet wide. This trailing habit makes 'Ground Hug' an excellent choice for ground cover applications, erosion control, or cascading over walls and slopes. In early spring, the plant produces an abundance of delicate, white flower clusters that attract pollinators like bees and butterflies. As summer progresses, the dark green, glossy foliage provides a lush, textural backdrop, before transforming into a brilliant mosaic of scarlet, burgundy, and purple hues in the fall. Even after leaf drop, 'Ground Hug' remains visually appealing, with its persistent clusters of edible, black chokeberries providing food for local wildlife. Adaptable to a range of soil types and growing conditions, from full sun to partial shade, this low-maintenance, native cultivar requires minimal pruning or care, making it an excellent choice for sustainable landscaping projects that prioritize ground cover, erosion control, and wildlife habitat creation.
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Attracts Bees, Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies, Deciduous, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Erosion Control, Fall Color, Fragrant Flowers, Fruit edible, Fruit showy, Full Sun, Good for Borders, Good for Hedges, Good for Mass Planting, Good for Rain Garden, Groundcover, Medium, Nativar, Naturalizing, Partial Shade, Perennial, Popular For Fall, Showy Flowers, Shrub, Tolerant of Moist Soil, Well-Drained Soil, Wet Site Tolerant
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