| PREORDER | East Grove Elderberry

:: Preorder - Shipping in Spring 2026 :: 

Bring the hardy and early flowering East Grove Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis ‘East Grove’) to your landscape, a vigorous and highly adaptable American elderberry variety selected in Eastern Iowa for its exceptional resilience, robust growth, and dependable fruit production. Known for flowering earlier than many varieties and showing excellent cold tolerance, East Grove performs especially well in northern regions and areas north of I-70. With proper fertility and watering, growers can expect strong establishment and a solid harvest by the second year.

Why Choose East Grove Elderberry?

• Abundant Harvests: Produces heavy clusters of dark purple black berries ideal for syrups, wines, jams, fresh use, and juicing.
• Nutritional Powerhouse: Elderberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and compounds that support immune health.
• Cold Hardy and Adaptable: Thrives across Zones 3 through 9 with exceptional vigor even in harsh conditions.
• Fast Growing and Vigorous: Grows six to ten feet tall with a dense, multi stemmed habit and reliable annual yields.
• Pollinator and Wildlife Friendly: Creamy white blossoms attract bees and butterflies, while ripe berries feed a variety of wildlife.
• Earlier Flowering: Flowers sooner than varieties such as Pocahontas, helping ensure earlier fruit set in short season climates.

Medicinal and Nutritional Benefits

East Grove elderberries offer the same nutrient rich wellness benefits found in high quality American elderberries. Packed with anthocyanins, antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A, flavonoids, and immune supporting compounds, they have long been valued in herbal traditions for promoting respiratory health, supporting natural immunity, and providing seasonal wellness support. Their dark, antioxidant dense berries are ideal for syrups, teas, tinctures, culinary recipes, and homemade remedies, offering both nutritional and functional value.

Planting and Growing Instructions

1. Preparing the Cuttings: Place cuttings in water or moist soil immediately upon arrival. You may root them indoors or plant directly outdoors when conditions are suitable.
2. Planting Time: Plant in early spring as soon as the ground thaws and through mid spring.
3. Location: Full sun to partial shade provides the best growth and fruiting.
4. Soil Preferences: Prefers moist, well draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
5. Spacing: Space plants 2 to 4 feet apart in rows spaced 10 to 14 feet apart for airflow and production.
6. Watering: Keep soil consistently moist during establishment. Once rooted, maintain regular watering during dry periods.
7. Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead canes and encourage vigorous new growth, as berries form on current year stems.

Pro Tips for Success

• Cross Pollination: Plant with another American elderberry variety to maximize yields and encourage strong fruit set.
• Harvesting: Pick clusters when berries reach a rich dark purple black color for peak flavor and nutrient content. American elderberries can be eaten when ripe but are commonly cooked for enhanced flavor and versatility.
• Wildlife and Beauty: Excellent for hedgerows, privacy screens, and pollinator gardens. Offers strong ecological benefits and ornamental value.

All elderberry bundles include a minimum of three cuttings with two or more nodes each. Please see product photos for examples of bundle sizes.

Shipping Details: Sold as dormant cuttings in bundles, shipped fresh starting in February. STORE IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR UNTIL PLANTING.

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.

Which Elderberry Should I Grow?  

Elderberry Growing Instruction Guide