York Elderberry

Light Needs

Part Shade to Full Sun

(3+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

8-10 Feet

Mature Spread

8-10+ Feet

Growing Zones

4 to 8

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.

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