Elderberries

Nova Elderberry

Wide clusters of creamy white flowers appear in spring, making wonderful components for bouquets or for dipping in batter and making fritters. If left on the bush, the flowers develop into bountiful bunches of tender, deep purple berries used in jams, jellies, pies, and wines. Being native to North America, these fast-growing bushes also appeal to wildlife, like bees and hummingbirds, as a food source. Cold-hardy. Ripens in early August. 

Wyldewood Elderberry

Huge flower heads are a full 2” wider than existing varieties, producing foot-wide pompoms of wonderful, lemony blooms in June. Blessedly forgiving of poor soils, and extremely cold-hardy — even grows well in partial shade. Generous harvests of small, nearly-black, sweet drupes make delicious jams, jellies and wine, and are a great source of vitamin C. Some claim elderberries also have anti-viral properties. Allow fruit to ripen on the bush, then snip the whole cyme, strip the berries into a bowl and keep refrigerated. Ripens in August. Deer-resistant. 

York Elderberry

In spring, these plants feature lovely white blooms, and in summer, they produce a bounty of soft, dark purple berries that are good for cooking or making delicious jams, jellies and wines rich in vitamin C. Berries ripen later than counterpart: Nova. Easy-to-grow plants tolerate dry or moist soils once established. Fruit is not affected by growing in partial shade. Regular summer watering is necessary for consistent fruit quality. Shrubs also make great wildlife attractants. Cold hardy. Ripens in August.  

Ranch Elderberry

Great choice for climates with wide temperature swings. Semi-spur-bearing plant, which means lots of production. Has an upright vs. bushy growth habit. Extremely tolerant of non-fertile soils, and is drought-tolerant and cold-hardy. No ladder required for harvesting, as this bush only grows to be 5-6’ tall. Pest- and disease-resistant, especially in the Northeast region. Netting two weeks prior to ripening is necessary to prevent birds from plundering the harvest. Ripens in late August/early September.