Aronia arbutifolia 'Brilliant'

Trial: Woody

Years Trialed: 2004-2005

Good Qualities:

First Year -

Can be sold as green berries or as red; Very attractive berries; Transplanted easily, our cool wet summer (Zone 5) helped it establish, no disease problems.

Second Year -

Easy to grow; pretty good fruit set.

Problems:

First Year -

Japanese beetles were heavy for us this year; No problems so far, small problem with Pear Slugs (Caliroa cerasi) at the end of the summer.

Second Year -

None

Postharvest:

First Year -

Our testing was with plain water. One trialer also noted a vase life of 14 days.

Second -

None

Comments:

First Year -

Similar to Aronia melanocappa elata; Nothing harvestable this year, will wait for next, we have grow this variety, good seller for us; Fruit quality appears better on these plants than it does on plants I received from another source.

Second Year -

Plants are still too small to harvest from; It is still a "new" planting to me, but I would like to see more vigorous growth from this plant.

Trial Data

First Year

*Aronia arbutifolia* 'Brilliant'
	Plants Flowering (%)	Plants Dead at End of summer (%)	Yield (stems/plant) (1)	Stem Length (inches) (1)	Market Appreciation Rating (2)	Repeat Again Rating (2)	Ease of Cultivation Rating (2)
Average	67	-	-	5.5	-	3.7	4.5
Range of Responses	0-100	-	-	3-8	-	2-5	4-5

Second Year

*Aronia arbutifolia* 'Brilliant'
	Plants Flowering (%)	Plants Dead at End of summer (%)	Yield (stems/plant) (1)	Stem Length (inches) (1)	Market Appreciation Rating (2)	Repeat Again Rating (2)	Ease of Cultivation Rating (2)
Average	100.0	0	3.0	36.0	4.0	-	5.0
Range of Responses	100	0	3	36	4		5

(1) Data shown are from those respondents who harvested stems. Some respondents may not have harvested stems because they were too short. Flowering stems may be longer next year after plants are established. See comments section for more details.

(2) 1 to 5 scale, with 5 being the best. Market ratings are based on sales to wholesalers, retailers, or final consumers direct.

Supplier

Bailey Nursery (BA)

1325 Bailey Rd.

St. Paul, MN 55119

651-459-9744

800-829-8898

FAX 651-459-5100