Assorted Elderberry Bushes

Grow your own food and medicine! Choose from 1 of 3 varieties: York, Scotia or Bob Gordon. $20 per plant York - A popular and reliable elder variety. York was the titleholder for the largest berry size before the Missouri introductions. It is still a solid performer even in commercial settings. With it's lush green foliage it works well in the backyard too. Mature height 2-2.5m (6-8') Scotia - This tried and true selection is certainly suitable for edible landscaping with its compact growth habit. Mature size is only 1.5-1.8m (5-6') in height and width. Scotia boasts the highest sugar content of any elderberry. They ripen slightly later than most. Bob Gordon - Introducing the new star performer! The enormous fruiting clusters with berries up to 1/4” invert downwards more than other varieties protecting the berries from birds. Extremely productive, with yields nearly triple that of older varieties! Berries are sweeter than most which makes it perfect for pies, jelly and wine. Vigorous shrubs grow to 10' tall with all blooms at once so it ripens for two pickings. Elderberry overview: Elderberries (Sambucus species) Here is a plant that is finally getting the attention it deserves, It was designated as ‘Herb of the Year’ for 2013, but has been used medicinally for hundreds of years! Because this single plant has so many uses, it has been referred to by herbalists as ‘Nature’s Medicine Chest’ and the ‘Countryman’s Apothecary’. Numerous new scientific studies are now verifying the benefits that previous generations have observed. Not only is elderberry juice extremely high in antioxidants (14,500 on the ORAC scale, compared with blackberries at 5347 or sweet cherries at 3365) the particular antioxidants found in elderberries have a proven antiviral effect. If your space is limited, this is the one plant we don’t want you to be without! Fortunately it is also the easiest one to grow organically. Although the humble elderberry is generally not considered a fresh eating fruit, it has multiple medicinal uses (both the flowers and the fruit) as well as baking, preserving and processing.