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The black chokeberry is an interesting native shrub that has high ornamental and practical value. This plant has interesting features for all seasons: pretty white flowers in spring, nice glossy, green foliage in summer, showy autumn colour as the leaves turn red to orange, and it has clusters of black berries that create an interesting contrast against the orange leaves in autumn. In addition, the berries also attract wildlife such as birds. Thus this plant can be used as a specimen plant, or it is an interesting massing plant because it is fairly dense, and it has a suckering habit that makes it form large colonies. The black chokeberry is a hardy plant that tolerates both wet and dry conditions. It also has very few pests and diseases. The plant’s fast growth and strong roots make it a good choice for bank stabilization and erosion control. It is often used in wetland restoration projects because it tolerates wet conditions well and it has a stabilizing effect. Additionally the berries have medicinal qualities. The berries are rich in antioxidants and anthocyanins and these compounds have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and type II diabetes. The berries are not palatable and are therefore consumed in the form of juices and jellies, much like cranberries. In New Brunswick, Canada black chokeberries are traditionally made into vinegar that is used to alleviate cold symptoms.

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