Elderberry (Potted)

Elderberry is a powerhouse for local ecosystems, attracting pollinators with midsummer blooms and providing food for birds. Offered as potted stock grown in root-prune pouches, allowing for flexible planting throughout the growing season. This production method supports a robust root system that aids in reducing transplant stress.

Sambucus canadensis is known for its antioxidant-rich fruit, often used in medicinal preparations. Our plants are propagated from cuttings of specific cultivars: Adams, Bob Gordon, and Pocahontas (see below for more information). Each cultivar contributes traits like enhanced sweetness, larger berry size, or impressive floral displays.

Elderberry is an excellent choice for wetland restoration projects or backyard orchards where soil moisture is consistent. The plant prefers rich, wet soil and achieves its best yields in full sun locations. Growing to 10 feet tall and 6 feet wide in zones 3-9, it requires cooking before the berries are eaten to prevent digestive issues.

Using potted stock ensures the plant retains an active root system ready to expand into the surrounding earth. With consistent watering and proper placement, these fast-growing shrubs will rapidly develop tall canes and productive fruiting clusters.

Cultivar Notes

• Adams: Adams is a vigorous plant with large, beautiful flowers and large, dark purple berries.
• Bob Gordon: Discovered in 1999 in Missouri, Bob Gordon elderberries are sweeter and larger than most other cultivars and loaded with antioxidants.
• Pocahontas: Originating in Pocahontas, Arkansas, Pocahontas is a later blooming cultivar with large flowers.