Elderberry

Varieties we offer:

Akiva - A vigorous grower and prolific producer of umbels. Berries are abundant but rather small in size. From Akiva Silver at Twisted Tree Farm in Spencer, NY.

BOB’s Resident Elder -  This is our name for the elderberry plant growing near the farmhouse. We are unsure if it is a cultivar or wild selection, but it is a vigorous grower that produces abundant flower clusters making it great for pollinators and cross-pollinating other elderberry varieties. Berries are not as large or sweet as some cultivated selections.

Johns - Sourced from St. Lawrence Nursery. A vigorous grower for us. Produces nice large, plump berries.

Owl Brook #1 & #2 - In addition to BOB’s Resident Elder, we recently discovered two more elderberries growing along Owl Brook. Suppressed and leggy when we found them, they have responded incredibly well to pruning. We are unsure if these plants are related to each other or BOB’s Resident Elder, or if they were planted or wild.

York - A cultivar developed by the New York Agriculture Experiment Station in 1964. Produces very large berries. Shorter in stature compared to other elderberries.

More info on Elderberry:

This vigorous and adaptable native plant is great for hedgerows and riparian plantings. The white flower clusters are frequented by a wide variety of pollinators and the small, black berries are a favorite of migratory birds. The edible fruits often aren’t the best fresh eating but can be made into juice, preserves, syrup, wine, and medicinal products.

Elderberries are easy to grow and tolerate a wide range of growing conditions and soil types. Established plants can be coppiced to the ground in late winter and early spring and the canes can be used to propagate additional plants.