The elderberry (Sambucus) is valued for its ornamental qualities, edible flowers, and dark purple berries used in medicinal and culinary applications. These berries are rich in antioxidants, making them popular for syrups, jams, and wine. If you are looking to add this productive shrub to your yard, understanding where and how to purchase it is the first step toward a successful harvest. This guide will help you make an informed decision for your garden.
Primary Sources for Elderberry Plants
Acquiring an elderberry plant starts with choosing the right vendor for plant selection and support. Independent and local garden centers offer plants adapted to the regional climate and provide knowledgeable staff advice. While these local nurseries stock a smaller selection, they offer the immediate benefit of a fully established, potted plant ready for planting.
Mail-order and online specialty nurseries provide access to a much wider range of specific cultivars. These sources often ship dormant, bare root plants, which are more cost-effective, especially when purchasing in quantity. Ordering from a reputable online nursery ensures you receive a healthy plant and the exact named variety.
Large national garden centers and big-box stores offer quick, local purchases, usually at a lower initial cost. However, their variety selection is often limited, and staff may lack specialized knowledge about elderberry cultivation or pollination needs. Sourcing cuttings from existing plants is the least expensive method but requires patience and skill to successfully root and establish new plants.
Deciding Between Plant Forms and Sizing
Elderberry plants are typically sold in three physical forms, and your choice dictates the timing and effort required for planting.
Bare Root Stock
Bare root stock consists of dormant plants dug from the field and shipped without soil around their roots. This form is the most affordable option. Bare root plants are best planted in late winter or early spring before the buds break, while the plant is still dormant.
Container-Grown Plants
Container-grown or potted plants are the most convenient option, as they are actively growing and can be planted almost any time the ground is not frozen. They are more expensive than bare root stock but suffer less transplant shock, providing a quicker visual result in the garden. If you are only buying one or two plants, a potted elderberry is a good choice.
Unrooted Cuttings
Starting with unrooted cuttings is the least expensive way to acquire a plant but demands the most skill and time. Hardwood cuttings should be taken in late winter, while softwood cuttings are best rooted in early summer before July. The resulting plants will take longer to establish and produce fruit compared to bare root or potted stock.
Essential Considerations When Selecting a Variety
The characteristics of the specific elderberry variety, or cultivar, must be carefully considered for successful fruit production. The two main species are American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) and European elderberry (Sambucus nigra). The American species grows as a multi-stemmed shrub reaching 8 to 12 feet, while the European species often grows taller, up to 20 feet, behaving more like a small tree.
A crucial factor for fruit yield is the requirement for cross-pollination, as most elderberries are only partially self-fruitful. To ensure a generous harvest, plant two different, genetically distinct cultivars of the same species within 50 to 60 feet of each other. Popular American cultivars like ‘Adams’ and ‘York’ are frequently paired together, known for heavy fruit clusters.
Ornamental European selections, such as ‘Black Lace’ or ‘Black Beauty,’ are prized for their dark foliage but often produce less fruit than common fruit-focused types. Select a variety known to thrive in your specific USDA hardiness zone to ensure winter survival and reliable growth. Choosing two different varieties with overlapping bloom times is the most dependable way to secure a bountiful elderberry crop.