
Light Needs

Mature Height

Mature Spread

Growing Zones
Any tall shrub can fill the landscape, but York Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis ‘York’) also can fill your stomach. The shrub produces heavy crops of large berry clusters that pack plenty of vitamin C. Grow this large shrub for its pretty appearance, easy care, and to make jams, jellies, or maybe wine. As much as you will love the berries, wildlife will love them even more, so if you aren’t into harvesting the berries to can, just leave them on the shrub for birds.
Cold hardy to zone 4, this versatile edible also handles the moderate heat of zone 8. The plant reaches nearly 10 feet high and 8 feet wide, and its berries begin to appear after 2 to 3 years of growth. They are known as the largest of any elderberry variety. The berries have a sweet taste and soft texture. And the shrub loves sun but still should produce and ripen even if grown in partial shade.
York Elderberry Care
Choose a spot with soil that drains well and that gets at least 4 hours of sun a day (the more the better). York Elderberry prefers slightly acidic soil pH (5.5 to 6.5). Because the elderberry requires another American elderberry for cross-pollination (a must for fruiting), choose another elderberry to plant within 100 feet (try Nova, Adams, Johns, or Bob Gordon varieties). When planting your elderberry, place it a couple of inches deeper than its depth in the pot it comes in.
Water your elderberry often in the first year so that its shallow roots can grow. Avoid fertilizers the first year, then add a high-nitrogen fertilizer per package directions every spring. Also avoid heavy pruning on young plants, waiting until after two seasons of growth. Then, prune the tree in early spring each subsequent year to remove dead or weak branches. Remove older canes so more energy goes to new growth, which produces more fruit.
York Elderberry Spacing
For an edible border, plant your elderberries about 6 to 8 feet apart to give them room to grow and room for you to reach the fruit at harvest time. Be sure to plant them within 100 feet of another elderberry for adequate pollination.
York Elderberry Information
USDA Hardiness Zones: 4 - 8 |
Plant Type: Bushes |
Light Exposure: Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight) |
Mature Height: 8 - 10 Feet |
Mature Spread: 8 - 10 Feet |
Spacing: 8 - 10 Feet |
Habit: Upright |
Flower Color(s): White |
Flower Description: |
Bloom Period: |
Foliage Type: Deciduous |
Foliage Color(s): Green |
Foliage Description: |
Seasonal Interest: Summer Flowering |
Watering: Average |
Resists: Deer |
Tolerates: Heat, Drought |
Attracts: Birds, Butterflies |
Container Role: |
Uses: Wildlife Gardens |
Features: Attracts Pollinators |
Brand: |
Common Name: York Elderberry |
Other Name(s): |
Scientific Name: SAMBUCUS CANADENSIS `YORK` |
- SKU:
- 1231001942-pc
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.

Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts

Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts

Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts

Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons

Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons

We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2025 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.

Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2025. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
---|---|
Zone 10 | March 31th |
Zone 9 | March 31st |
Zone 8 | April 7th |
Zone 7 | April 14th |
Zone 6b | April 21st |
Zone 6a | April 28th |
Zone 5b | May 5th |
Zone 5a | May 12th |
Zone 4 | May 19th |
Zone 3 | May 26th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: Idaho, AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!