Viking Aronia Berry

Species: Aronia melanocarpa

History: Viking was developed in Finland around the 1980s, likely looking to increase productivity. They succeeded and Viking is now the most productive of all aronia cultivars.

Why We Grow It: With slightly larger than average berries, very good flavour, and the best productivity of all aronia berries, Viking is a hard variety to turn down. Like other aronia berries, they can be a bit tart for fresh eating but are great when used for cooking, baking, wines, jams, etc.

Canadian Hardiness Zone: 4

Soil Preference: Adaptable to most soils except for shallow chalk or very boggy conditions

Growth Habits and Disease Resistance: Upright growth habit, produces heavy crops, hardy. No notable diseases.

Sun/Shade: Partial shade to full sun (approx. 6-10 hours of sun daily)

Pollination: Self-pollinating, this variety will produce fruit without a different Aronia variety but will produce more and better fruit if one is present    

Flowering Time: Spring

Bloom Colour: White

Ripens: August, but fruit sweetens if left on the bush longer

Storage: Keep about a week in the fridge

Recommended Use: Fresh eating, baking, cooking, jams, jellies, sauce, juice, wine

Size: 1 year plant in plug, about 15cm above soil