Aronia Prunifloria hedge, for and against

I'm looking into the possibility of planting the above as a hedge in Autumn. Does anyone have any experiences or opinions of it? Both for and against, all comments are welcome.

Sorry, it should be aronia prunifolia....

 

No experience of it personally.

What's attracted you to it?

 

Several things really. For a start, it can look like this...


...which puts me in mind of a very typical, traditional hedge in a typical English country village. Birds and other wildlife love it, especially the edible berries. These same berries taste excellent in cognac or rum, and can also be used in cooking. There are quite a few recipes that they can be used in. Jellies, wine, jam, for example. The jam, used with vanilla and cognac is very nice in scones... They are also known to have beneficial health effects..

The berries are preceded by white flowers in May/June.

The plants themselves are happy in part shade or full sun, most kinds of soil, and can cope with drought.

 

With all those attributes, I'd say go with it

 

There are two varieties available here. "Viking" and "Västeråker." The former has bigger berries (15mm) and the latter is a bit denser. Its a matter of choosing which now!

 

Big berries

 

That will be the Viking variety then!

 

Now, why doesn't that surprise me

 

I like the look of that Sandy, is it evergreen?

 

Unfortunately no Sheal. It loses its leaves in Winter. A disadvantage, I suppose.

 

That's a shame, it means a lot of clearing up too.

 

But think of all that lovely leaf mould...

 

.....But I'm thinking of my back Sandy.

 

@Sheal theres a cure for womens back troubles. Its called "men."

 

Ooooo you're on dodgy ground there Mr Ground!