- Partial Shade to Full Sun (At Least 3 Hours Of Direct Sunlight)
- Mature Height 8 - 10 Feet
- Mature Spread 8 - 10 Feet
- Growing Zones 4 - 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.
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
Container Sizes
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.
For more detailed information, please click here.
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Planter Shipping
Standard Colors: 2-3 business days
Special Order Colors: 8 weeks - this is due to the planter being custom made with the color(s) of your choice
Please Note: On special orders there can not be any cancellations
Plant Shipping
Time of Order:
Summer Shipping
- If there is extreme heat we’ll delay shipping.
- We’ll have to review what areas the plants are traveling through along with your location
Once your plant is shipped you’ll receive an email with tracking information. Depending on the above criteria we’ll ship your plant(s) towards beginning of the following week from your order. We put together this helpful guide of what to do when you receive your plants in the mail.
It is important to know that all of our plants are clearly labeled for which growing zones the plant can survive in. The plants are thoroughly trialed and tested in every growing zone before we state the plant can grow in a zone. Again, our #1 priority is to ship the plants to you healthy and ready to thrive in your location. So we will do everything in our power to do so.