Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis (elderberry)

We were fond of elderberry bushes when we'd float by them in a canoe - all in flower during summer paddles on Georgia rivers. Then we learned the dried berries can be steeped in vodka for a medicinal concoction and we had to plant a few for ourselves.

We planted four by the driveway and last summer harvested some fruit clusters - I must admit that I didn't actually make anything out of them, but I did have the satisfaction of "I could if I wanted to." We found the experience so rewarding that we've propagated off those shrubs and have them here for you. They are super fast growing!

We recommend planting in pairs for cross-pollination and best fruit set, exactly like the protocol for planting blueberries and other fruits. To that end, we grow two types 'Raab' and 'Bob Gordon'. If you order two, we'll send you one of each. If you order one, just let us know which one you want. 'Raab' is known to be a better pollinator and 'Bob Gordon' is know for fantastic fruit production.

We have cultivars of two other native shrubs that grow alongside elderberry in the wild: Cayenne silky dogwood and Fiber Optics buttonbush.

• both flowers and fruits are edible
• birds like to eat the fruit too if you want to let them have it
• elderberry is a fast horizontal grower and will bulk up fast - you will likely get good flowers/fruits the year after you plant it
• it's a colonizer too so will take up some real estate - we like colonizers and they way the own the ground
• heat tolerant
• cold tolerant