Johns Elderberry

Add a reliable and nutritious superfood to your landscape with the Johns Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), a vigorous American elderberry variety prized for its beautiful fall foliage, large berry clusters, and dependable yields. Ripening later than the Adams variety, Johns Elderberry offers a delicious and nutritious harvest that supports your garden and your health.

Why Choose Johns Elderberry?

• Beautiful Fall Foliage: Johns Elderberry doubles as a stunning ornamental plant with its vibrant autumn colors.
• Abundant Harvests: Produces large clusters of medium-sized, dark purple-black berries perfect for fresh use, juicing, syrups, wines, and jams.
• August Ripening: A later-season variety, offering a reliable harvest window after Adams Elderberry.
• Cold-Hardy and Adaptable: Thrives in Zones 3-9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates.
• Fast-Growing and Vigorous: Grows 8-12 feet tall, producing high yields of nutrient-packed fruit. Determinate.
• Pollination Required: Plant with another elderberry variety, like Adams or York, for cross-pollination and maximum fruit production.

Planting and Growing Instructions

1. Preparing the Cuttings: Place cuttings in water or moist soil immediately upon arrival. You can root them indoors or directly outdoors in suitable conditions.
2. Planting Time: Plant in spring as soon as the ground thaws up to mid-spring.
3. Location: Choose a site with full sun to partial shade for optimal growth and fruiting.
4. Soil Preferences: Prefers moist, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0).
5. Spacing: Space plants 2-4 feet apart in rows with rows 10-14 feet apart for proper airflow and maximum production.
6. Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist as the cuttings establish roots. Once rooted, water regularly, especially in dry periods.
7. Pruning: Prune established plants in late winter or early spring to remove dead wood and encourage new growth, as berries form on the current year’s stems.

Pro Tips for Success

• Cross-Pollination Required: Plant Johns Elderberry alongside another elderberry variety, such as Adams or York, to ensure pollination and optimal fruit production.
• Harvesting: Pick berries when fully ripe (dark purple-black) in August for the best flavor and quality. Ripe American elderberries are not toxic and can be eaten fresh or cooked for enhanced versatility.
• Wildlife and Beauty: Johns Elderberry’s creamy white flowers and vibrant fall foliage add ornamental value while attracting pollinators and providing food for birds and other wildlife.

Order Your Cuttings Today!
Our Johns Elderberry cuttings are shipped fresh and ready to grow. With proper care, they’ll root quickly and establish strong, productive plants for years of abundant harvests.

Please see the photos for bundle sizes and examples of what you get.

Non-GMO Commitment: At Growing Farmers and The Farm on Central, all our plants are guaranteed non-GMO and not genetically modified in any way, upholding natural breeding methods and promoting sustainable gardening and farming practices.

Growing method: Grown on our Coop farms using natural growing methods, no chemicals used.