The elderberry plant (Sambucus genus) is a popular choice for home gardens due to its attractive flowers and nutrient-rich fruit. These fast-growing shrubs, such as the American elderberry (S. canadensis) and European elderberry (S. nigra), are sought after by gardeners and homesteaders. Finding the right source and plant material is the first step in successfully establishing an elderberry patch. This guide focuses on the various options for purchasing elderberry plants and the considerations necessary for successful planting.
Finding Local and Online Sellers
Purchasing elderberry plants can be accomplished through both local vendors and specialized online nurseries, each offering distinct advantages. Local sources provide the immediate benefit of physically inspecting the plant’s health and root structure before purchase. These local options include independent garden centers, which often stock varieties well-suited to the regional climate and soil conditions.
Another excellent local resource is a regional nursery specializing in fruit, berry, or native plants. Visiting agricultural extension plant sales or farmers’ markets in the spring can also connect buyers with smaller, local growers who may offer unique or heirloom cultivars. The ability to speak directly with the grower provides valuable, site-specific advice that can greatly improve planting success.
Online mail-order nurseries, especially those specializing in fruit and berry crops, offer a much wider selection of cultivars than is typically available locally. Shopping online allows access to specific varieties of American or European elderberry necessary for particular growing zones or desired fruit characteristics. Since the buyer cannot visually assess the plant until it arrives, the reputation of the online nursery is an important factor. Buyers should prioritize sellers that specialize in horticulture to ensure plant quality and proper handling during shipping.
Choosing Between Plant Forms
Elderberry plants are typically sold in three primary physical forms: bare-root stock, potted plants, or dormant cuttings. Bare-root plants are field-grown, dug up while dormant, and shipped with no soil around the roots, offering the most economical option. They are usually shipped in early spring before they break dormancy and require immediate planting upon arrival to prevent the roots from drying out.
Potted or containerized elderberry plants are sold actively growing in soil and are available for purchase throughout the growing season. This form offers the most flexibility for planting time, as the plant experiences less transplant shock than bare-root stock. The convenience and year-round availability of potted plants are reflected in their higher purchase price. They are often the best choice for gardeners who miss the narrow spring window for planting bare-root material.
The third option is purchasing unrooted cuttings, which are dormant sections of stem wood taken from the previous season’s growth. Cuttings are the least expensive way to acquire a plant, but they require the buyer to undertake the process of propagation. This involves rooting the cuttings in a moist, sterile medium over several weeks, a process that carries a higher risk of failure than planting established material. Propagating from cuttings allows a grower to produce multiple plants from one purchase.
Essential Factors for Selection and Purchase Timing
A successful elderberry harvest depends on selecting the correct cultivar for your specific geographic location. It is important to match the chosen variety to your USDA Hardiness Zone to ensure it can survive the winter temperatures. American elderberry varieties, such as ‘Adams 2’ and ‘York’, are reliably hardy in colder zones, while European types like ‘Black Lace’ may be better suited to slightly milder climates.
A crucial consideration for fruit production is the need for cross-pollination, as most elderberry varieties are not fully self-fruitful. Planting at least two genetically distinct cultivars within 60 feet of each other is strongly recommended to ensure a good fruit set. For example, pairing a variety like ‘Nova’ with ‘York’ will significantly improve the yield compared to planting a single variety alone.
The optimal time to purchase and plant depends directly on the form of the plant material chosen. Bare-root stock should be planted in early spring, as soon as the soil is workable, or in late fall in regions with milder winters. Potted plants offer a much wider planting window and can be successfully installed from spring through early fall, provided they are kept well-watered during establishment.
Unrooted cuttings are best started indoors or in a sheltered location in late winter or early spring. This allows the newly rooted plants to be transplanted outdoors after the danger of the last frost has passed.