I personally would just scrap the chokeberry, but I don't have enough experience to say for sure that it won't make it. You picked about the worst time of year to dig up and move a shrub, and it looks predictably pretty far gone. Water will help (but don't overwater - stick your finger down into the rootball to see if it's still damp before you water). Fertilizer will not help. Shade will help if you can provide it.

That viburnum looks like it's wilting, at least to me. It's been 2 years since it was transplanted? Are you in an area in drought?

I'm not sure the chokeberry will recover (planted 2 weeks ago).

==>>. you planted them in august.. and are surprised they look like this??? .... i understand you did what you did.. when you had to do it ... i just wouldnt be expecting much of anything until next spring.. and i would give those. until then.. to see ...

and i frankly dont see all that much wrong with the Vs .... if you dont like the form.. then start a 3 year rejuvenation pruning ... and create a new form ... but dont just go whacking off chunks of it.. do you understand the difference???

how big a root mass did you take.. when you moved the Vs???? ... the roots should be similar in mass to what you see above the ground .... one might not be surprised.. if it hasnt recovered its full root mass in 2 years ... btw .... how long has your drought been?? ... mine has been 8 to 10 weeks with little or no measurable rain.. meaning its dry deep into the soil ... though i note your grass is still green ... but lawn watering is not going to get deep into the soil.; so it is good you are running the hose on them.. i hope on a trickle for hours ...

ken

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=viburnum+rejuvenation+pruning&t=ffcm&ia=web

i see ills and i are on the same page ... bazinga ....

My impression is that the main problem now is they haven't been getting watered effectively. Starting with the last line of the original post which implies only the Aronia have been getting watered at all. And continuing on to it appearing that what has been done is letting a hose end trickle in one spot right at the base of the stems of each specimen - if you have not been seeing the water spread out on the surface and form a puddle over the top of the entire root system of each before soaking in then all that you have been accomplishing is wetting a carrot shaped column of soil. And missing all of the roots that did not fall within the target area.

Don't cut any stems off, energy stored in stems is what fuels the growth of new roots - the critical need at this time is getting and keeping all of the existing rooting area moist.

Thanks, everyone. I realize this is not an ideal time for transplanting the chokeberry but i didnt have a choice to wait. I will water everything more evenly and see if the viburnum recovers and will give the chokeberry until next year to aee what it does.

I would give them both until next year, making sure that they get good watering right up to freeze this year. Actually test the soil to see how moist it is by sticking your finger in a couple of inches down. Both have the potential to provide blooms and will bring birds to your yard to eat the fruit.

What kind of Viburnum are they? Some are far more attractive than others.