• Now Playing Image

  • Loading playlist...
    Brian McFadden
    3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
  • Home
  • Contests
    • KIX Café
    • Contest Rules
  • Hosts
    • Big Jim
    • Brian McFadden
    • Jenn
    • American Top 40 – Casey Kasem
      • American Top 40 – The ’70s – Casey Kasem
      • American Top 40 – The ’80s – Casey Kasem
  • Events
    • Community Events
    • Submit Your Community Event
  • KIX Cares
    • KIX Cares
    • Kitties and K9s
      • Kitties and K9’s Rescue Pet Adoption Zone
  • Features
    • Recipes
    • News, Sports and Weather
    • Pet Adoption
    • Horoscopes
    • Slideshows
    • Daily Comic Strips
    • Crossword Puzzle
    • Sudoku
    • Advice
    • Coupons
  • Contact
    • Contact and Directions
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Get Our Email Updates
    • Advertise
    • KIX 102 App
  • Podcasts
  • search
  • Find us on Facebook
  • Text us!
  • Get our Apps
  • Email Us

Category Archives: Featured

Red and black chokeberries thrive in North Carolina landscapes

Red and black chokeberries thrive in North Carolina landscapes

By MIKE RALEY WPTF Weekend Gardener

Red Chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia) and Black Chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) are versatile shrubs native to North Carolina. I have seen many of the red varieties, while black varieties have never shown up in my path. They are similar however, with obviously, the main difference, the color of the berries. In addition, the red has a more upright and slender shape preferring moist soil, while the black are more tolerant of various soil conditions. The berries of the black varieties usually drop in summer while the berries of the red varieties last until winter. Otherwise the two types are much alike. The flowers, of course, come in the spring and with the help of pollinators, make these small berries.

In the wildlife world, all kinds of birds just dig these plant’s berries, and so do some mammals. Yes, deer will eat Chokeberry shrubs, especially in the winter when their food supply is a little scarce. The berries of this shrub are very astringent so not all berry-loving animals can deal with the taste. If you pick any Chokeberries off the shrubs in your yard and eat them, they will make you pucker. They also could make you feel like you are choking because of their sour, dry qualities. Which brings me to the history of the Chokeberry.

Native American tribes used the berry in a number of ways as a food source and a food preservative. As Europeans encountered new plants, they took them home to various countries where they used them as ornamental plants. Over time they developed cultivars that were easier on the tastebuds and digestive system. In the 20th century, the Russians even used them to make wine. This was likely the “Aronia melencarpa” varieties which can be processed for all kinds of foodie type things.

The Chokeberry is high in antioxidants and flavanoides, so a lot of research is being done on these plants which usually aren’t the first choice for planting by homeowners. I’m told you can make jams out of Chokeberries. Check for varieties that will aid in making jams and jellies if you are so inclined. Black Chokeberries varieties “Viking,” “Nero,” “Autumn Magic” will work. When it comes to red Chokeberries, “Brilliantissima” is the one to look for. You have to cook them with a sweetener- boil and mash and then mix with other fruits to get around the bitterness. You can find them in bulk from Amazon under the name of Aronia berries. They are also sold at some specialty retailers. I must say, I have never had Chokeberry jam, nor do I ever remember anyone mentioning it on the show.

Plant your Chokeberry by using a sharp shovel. Anne Clapp and Rufus always recommend that. Dig a hole that is at least twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Place your shrub in the hole, gently spreading out the roots, and then backfill to ground level and water well. To get your plant off to a good start, incorporate some organic matter in the soil, and cover the root zone with a layer of mulch to help keep the soil cool and moist.

The Chokeberry can be an attractive plant. I have noticed however, that a single specimen doesn’t work well. Since it often looks a little leggy over time, plant in mass for a better effect. Just don’t plant a bunch of them thinking you are going to make jam every year. That seems like a lot of trouble unless you can’t figure out any other way to pucker!

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Scully!

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Scully!

Hi, my name is Scully. I’m 3 years old, 60 pounds and possibly a boxer-terrier mix. I’m searching for my forever home or even a foster home for a while. When I was about 6 months old, my brother and I were rescued by Second Chance Pet Adoption.  We were neglected and abandoned.  It was a…… Continue Reading

Bottlebrush blooms, fall color make Clethra a versatile shrub

Bottlebrush blooms, fall color make Clethra a versatile shrub

I have many different species of plants in my landscape. However, I do not own a “Clethra alnifolia” or “sweet pepper bush” or “summersweet”. I bet if I were to ask brother Rufus if he planted one in his historic yard, he would say yes. Clethra is a native plant to Eastern North America including North Carolina of course. My expert friends on the Weekend Gardener tell us that Clethra is a choice shrub for the Tar Heel state’s growing conditions.… Continue Reading

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Cher!

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Cher!

Cher is a 5-month-old brown and white tabby with a whole lot of personality and even more love to give. Just like the legendary diva she’s named after, this little starlet is full of flair, fun, and affection. She’s got energy for days—wrestling with her kitten buddies, chasing toys, and turning every room into her…… Continue Reading

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Rocky!

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Rocky!

Meet Rocky Balboa – a gentle giant with a heart of gold and a name that packs a punch! This 2-year-old Great Pyrenees/German Shepherd mix is the perfect blend of calm and playful. With his laid-back nature and occasional goofy zoomies, Rocky is just as happy lounging on the couch as he is exploring the…… Continue Reading

Find zen in your garden with zinnias

Find zen in your garden with zinnias

My mother-in-law, Jean Reeves, was smart, hard-working, industrious, caring and pretty. She loved gardening, and taught her equally pretty daughters about vegetables and flowers and how they co-exist in nature. When I fell in love with Melissa, I also fell in love with her parents’ extraordinary and expansive dairy farm. The vegetable garden was always spacious, pristine and yummy. Jean’s talent for growing flowers was equally as impressive. Her sizable zinnia garden was memorable for the vivid colors. I think a low flying plane would have flown around to get another look.… Continue Reading

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Rain!

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Rain!

This gorgeous 1-year-old tortoiseshell beauty is as unique as they come—she’s fluffy, fabulous, and even has extra toes (a polydactyl kitty)! Her mitten-like paws only add to her charm and make her even more irresistible. She’s a friendly and affectionate girl who enjoys the company of both people and other cats, making her a wonderful…… Continue Reading

‘Naked lady’ spider lilies bring surprise blooms

‘Naked lady’ spider lilies bring surprise blooms

Every regular co-host on the WPTF Weekend Gardener has discussed with delight, at one time or another, the attributes of the “naked lady” spider lily or Lycoris radiate. I have read that the name “Lycorus” refers to the mistress of the Roman leader Mark Anthony. Of course, there are other names for this popular bulb: “Cluster amaryllis”, “Equinox flower”, “Hurricane lilies”, “Magic lily”, “Resurrection lily”, and “Surprise lily”. Yes, this extraordinary perennial bulb is in the amaryllis family and is a native of China, Korea and Japan, but there are varieties that are native to the southeastern U.S. including North Carolina. … Continue Reading

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Suzy!

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Suzy!

You’ll quickly fall in love with this one-eyed cutie! Suzy is a sweet, silly, playful girl looking for her forever home! She can take a little bit to warm up to people, but once she builds trust with you she is your shadow and best pal. She follows her foster parents from room to room,…… Continue Reading

Salvia: A colorful, hardy favorite for Carolina gardens

Salvia: A colorful, hardy favorite for Carolina gardens

Everyone should have some type of salvia in their landscape. Sage advice, I must say, if you like puns that is! Salvia also is known for its medicinal qualities for oral health, digestion problems and cognitive issues. I for one have never considered eating salvia. Sage is, of course, considered a culinary herb, so I suppose I have eaten some over the years. There are over a thousand salvia species and just as many cultivars and hybrids. Just like several plants I have in my yard, salvia is part of the mint family. Most salvia flowers don’t have fragrance, however their foliage does. Salvia is also a pollinator favorite.… Continue Reading

← Older posts

Recent News

Red and black chokeberries thrive in North Carolina landscapes

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Scully!

Bottlebrush blooms, fall color make Clethra a versatile shrub

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Cher!

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Rocky!

Find zen in your garden with zinnias

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Rain!

‘Naked lady’ spider lilies bring surprise blooms

KIX Kitties and K9s: Meet Suzy!

Salvia: A colorful, hardy favorite for Carolina gardens

  • 94.7 QDR Today's Best Country

  • La Ley 101.1FM

Copyright © 2025 WKIX-FM. All Rights Reserved.

View Full Site

  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Contest Rules
  • EEO
  • Public Inspection File: WKIX-FM
  • Public Inspection File: WKJO-FM
  • Public Inspection File: WKXU-FM
  • Employment Opportunities
  • FCC Applications
Powered By SoCast