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Bring the reliable York Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis ‘York’) to your home garden or landscape, a trusted American elderberry variety known for its adaptability, rich berry production, and ability to thrive in a range of growing conditions. York performs well in both moist and drier soils once established and even tolerates partial shade, making it an excellent choice for growers working with less than ideal sites. As a later ripening variety, York rewards gardeners with abundant clusters of dark purple berries that are soft, flavorful, and ideal for processing.

Why Choose York Elderberry?

• Adaptable to Soil Conditions: Tolerates both moist soils and moderately dry soils once well established.
• Partial Shade Tolerant: Performs better in lower light than many elderberry varieties, offering flexibility in site selection.
• Later Season Ripening: Extends your harvest window and pairs well with earlier varieties for staggered picking.
• Abundant, Soft Dark Berries: Produces plentiful clusters of richly colored, soft berries perfect for culinary and medicinal uses.
• Strong, Hardy Shrub: Forms a vigorous, productive shrub well suited for hedgerows, windbreaks, and home gardens.
• Excellent for Home Processing: Berries are ideal for syrups, jams, juices, and herbal preparations.

Medicinal and Nutritional Benefits

York elderberries are packed with beneficial compounds, including anthocyanins, antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A, flavonoids, and natural fiber. Traditionally used in herbalism to support immune function, respiratory wellness, and seasonal health, elderberries are valued for their ability to strengthen natural defenses. York’s abundant late season clusters provide a generous supply of nutrient dense berries perfect for syrups, teas, tinctures, wine, and a wide range of homemade wellness and culinary preparations.

Planting and Growing Instructions

1. Preparing the Cuttings: Place cuttings in water or moist soil immediately upon arrival. Cuttings may be rooted indoors or planted directly outdoors once conditions are suitable.
2. Planting Time: Best planted in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked.
3. Location: Full sun to partial shade, making York one of the more flexible varieties for site placement.
4. Soil Preferences: Moist, well draining soil is ideal, though York can tolerate moderately dry soils once well rooted. Optimal pH range is 6.0 to 7.0.
5. Spacing: Plant 2 to 4 feet apart in rows spaced 10 to 14 feet apart.
6. Watering: Consistent moisture is essential during the hottest months to ensure full berry ripening and optimal yields.
7. Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to remove older canes and promote strong new first year growth.

Pro Tips for Success

• Pair With Other Varieties: Elderberries are semi self fertile, and pairing York with varieties such as Adams, Johns, Ranch, or Wyldewood can enhance yields.
• Shade Tolerant Advantage: York is a great option for spots that receive only morning sun or filtered light.
• Later Ripening: Expect berry clusters to mature later in the season, extending your elderberry harvest window.

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

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 Co-op farms using natural growing methods, no chemicals used.

Which Elderberry Should I Grow?  

Elderberry Growing Instruction Guide