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Resources for Elderberry Growers
Missouri is currently the top producing state of American elderberry, Sambucus canadensis. We want to expand the market for American elderberries and continue to grow more successful farms and healthier communities...
At River Hills Harvest, we are committed to educating farmers...
We aren't just there for commercial growers, we are also there to guide you on how to grow this medicine in your own backyard...
American Elderberry General Information
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In general, elderberries can reach around 10' tall in Northern states while they can reach up to 15' tall in Southern states.
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They thrive and produce the most in full sun but can grow well in part shade.
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Elderberries are going to prefer a soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
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They prefer a moist soil with lots of organic material. They do well irrigated but can also do without.
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It is not required to have two different varieties to pollinate, but it can improve production over time.
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Native to the US, Sambucus canadensis berries are able to be processed using cooler temperatures than the European native, Sambucus nigra. Boiling is not required. American elderberries contain more antioxidants than others across the globe.
American Elderberry Selections
The selections we grow here at River Hills Harvest have all at one point been selected from the wild here in the USA. Through growing these particular selections, we have found them to have characteristics that we desire, such as ripening times, disease resistance, and more. Learn about the American elderberry selections we grow and how we sell them. If you need more information, head over to our Blog Page for detailed information on planting and more.
Read our elderberry growing blog posts HERE
Adams
Indeterminate Selections
Adams, Wyldewood & Pocahontas
Indeterminate selections will put off more than one flower and fruit head per cyme.
Adams
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Indeterminate
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8-10' Tall
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Originated in New York
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One of our oldest selections that continues to do great.
Wyldewood
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Indeterminate
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6-10' Tall
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Wyldewood was the first selection released by The University of Missouri and has continued to be a vigorous producer.
Pocahontas
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Indeterminate
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8-14' Tall
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Originated in Pocahontas, Arkansas.
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Very large flower and berry heads that will need a long grow season to fully ripen.
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Can be easily damaged by wind.
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A stunning landscape plant that grows both wide and tall with huge flower and berry heads.
Pocahontas
Read in-depth about Bob Gordon elderberries HERE
Bob Gordon
Determinate Selections
Bob Gordon, Ranch, Nova & York
Determinate selections will put off one flower and fruit head per cyme. Typically known to have dense clusters of ripe berries.
Bob Gordon (pictured)
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Determinate
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6-8' Tall
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Discovered in Oceola, Missouri
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Recumbent berry heads when ripe that can help protect them from the birds.
Ranch
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Determinate
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5-6' Tall
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Hardiest selection, recommended for harsh heat and wind climates.
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Ranch is an excellent producer that is in general, the smallest of the elderberry selections we grow.
York & Nova
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Determinate
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Both grow around 6-10' Tall
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Nova and York do best in northern US States, in colder climates. But can do very well there.
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Nova has one of the largest berry sizes we've seen yet and could be a great selection to grow for dye making.
Read mitigating risks in your elderberry planting HERE
Planting American Elderberries
Planting Dormant Hardwood Cuttings
Dormant hardwood elderberry cuttings are taken when the plant is in its dormant state. Here in the Midwest, that is between December and February. Dormant hardwood cuttings do not have any established roots and are ideally not leafing out yet. Dormant hardwood cuttings are the most cost-effective way to start elderberries, but also require the most care to get established. We do not start elderberries from seeds, they are reproduced by making hardwood cuttings. Click HERE to read about why we start from cuttings and not seeds.
Based on recent research from the University of Missouri, we know that elderberry cuttings need to be:
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Planted before the 2nd week in March to be the most successful in the Midwest.
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Planted outdoors, in the soil or in an unheated greenhouse.
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They should also be wider than a half inch in diameter.
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They should contain two sets of nodes.
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Consistently moist and kept watered, at all times.
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They should never be planted too late in the season or started in water and/or indoors.
Read about how to buy American elderberries HERE
Planting Your American Elderberry Cuttings
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Your elderberry cuttings from River Hills Harvest can remain in the bag with moist sphagnum moss they come in. Keep them in the refrigerator until you are ready to plant. They have been sanitized and are free of pests or diseases.
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Cuttings should be planted in the cold weather, before the 2nd week in March. You can plant even if your ground is frozen. Elderberries want to be planted in cool weather so they can establish roots instead of focusing on leafing out.
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Prepare your planting area.
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Locate the two node sets on your elderberry cutting. Note that the angled side should be pointing downward.
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Your cutting should be facing upward and not angled or horizontal when you plant it.
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Plant your cutting in the soil with the bottom set of nodes about 2-3 inches below the soil surface.
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Space cuttings 3 to 5 feet apart, less if in a commercial setting.
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Water in well and continue to keep constantly watered through the year.
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Mulch can help keep in moisture and protect your cuttings.
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Keep it watered and you should begin to see growth within 4 months, depending on your location. Don't be alarmed if you don't see anything, you may later see shoots pop up from the roots instead of your initial cutting.
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Read our Planting Elderberry Cuttings blog post HERE
Planting Rooted Cuttings or Elderberry Plants
Rooted elderberry cuttings have generally been started early in the season in a protected area. They have established some roots and may have leaves as well. These are a great buy because they already have roots, and this is where many folks struggle when planting dormant hardwood cuttings. However, these are only offered in the early spring as shipping them later in the summer is just too hot for them to survive the process. The middle of summer is also not the best time to plant elderberries, as they can dry out quickly before becoming established to the area. If you have purchased an elderberry plant in the summer, you can plant them in a large pot and transplant to the ground in fall. Just be sure either way, you keep them watered WELL.
If you have purchased small elderberry plants from a nursery, don't be alarmed if when you plant them, they lose their leaves. This can happen the later in the season they are planted but just keep them watered. Likely they are establishing to their environment and will begin send up new shoots from the leaves instead of the initial cutting stem.
Planting Your Rooted Elderberry Cuttings or Plants
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Immediately water your plant when you get it home, it's been on a journey to get there and will be happy.
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Prepare your planting area.
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Break up the potting mix that the elderberry came in, leaving a little attached to the roots.
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Plant in the soil up to the same soil level as the plant already was.
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Be sure to thoroughly mix in the surrounding soil around the roots.
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Mulch if you can as it will retain more moisture.
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Water your elderberry plant in well and keep it constantly watered throughout the year.
Planting Bare Root Elderberries
Bare root elderberry plants were started early in the year as dormant hardwood cuttings. They are available in the fall and should be planted then. The soil has been shaken out of them for shipping and the top snipped off the plant. This ensures it continues to focus on growing more roots. They are easy to plant and get established.
Planting Your Bare Roots
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Once you get your bare root plant, give it water or soak the roots.
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Prepare your planting area.
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Bare root plants want to be planted in the cool weather of the fall. They are entering dormancy, so don't expect to see much if any new growth this year.
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Soak the roots of your plant for up to 15 minutes before planting.
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Plant where the roots are less than a few inches below the soil surface.
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Water in well and continue to water throughout the fall and if dry, occasionally in the winter.
Read our 'Planting Bare Root Elderberries' blog post HERE
Read Our Blog Posts
Explore our Blog page to learn in-depth about planting and buying American elderberries as well as recipes.
Take Our Online Classes with Terry
Learn all you need to know about growing elderberries from start to finish. Our online classes are packed full of information!
1. Growing American Elderberries
2. Processing American Elderberries
3. Marketing American Elderberries
4. FREE History of Elderberries
Click HERE to start the FREE class.
Plants & Supplies
Visit our Plants & Supplies page to see our available processing equipment, like Terry's Elderberry Destemmer.
Here's Terry on making and planting dormant hardwood cuttings...
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Can I propagate my own elderberries?Yes, from dormant hardwood cuttings. It is best to take cuttings from plants that are at least two years old. Cuttings should be six-to- eight inches long and contain two or more pairs of opposite buds. We take our cuttings in when they are dormant, around January. They can be sanitized and stored with moisture in the refrigerator until ready to plant, we use sphagnum moss. We have had the most success with cuttings that contain only two pairs of opposite buds, we cut around 2 inches above the top and 2 inches below the bottom bud sets. Bottom cuts are made at an angle.
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How big will my elderberry bushes get? How long will they live?Elderberries will grow to be 10 feet tall in northern regions and as tall as 15 feet in southern regions of the United States. Longevity records for canadensis have not been kept long enough to know for certain, but the European elderberry plant can live 25 years. It is believed canadensis lifespan will be similar in length. Also see the slide show on this page to explore more specific information about the selections we grow.
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How are elderberries reproduced?Elderberries can be grown from seeds, cuttings, suckers, or rhizomes, but the easiest plantings are established with dormant hardwood cuttings and will produce a crop in the second year. Plantings established from seed will take 3-4 years to produce a crop. Each year we will have a number of cuttings and bare root plants to sell on our shop page. Stock is limited and most of these are purchased as a pre-order, so keep your eye out.
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When will Elderberry cuttings ship?Our Elderberry cuttings are prepared when dormant and we do not begin shipping until January. Our shipping window for cuttings runs through March. We recommend keeping them refrigerated until you are ready to plant.
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What types of soil and locations are best for elderberry plantings?Elderberry prefers a heavy soil that is high in organic material, with an ideal pH between 5.5 and 6.5. Plants prefer ample moisture and can thrive even under poor drainage conditions if planted in raised beds. Bottomland is ideal, but adequately irrigated uplands also sustain elderberries. The plants can sustain short periods of flooding. The plants can do well in transition zones between wetlands and upland areas. Production will be maximized in areas that receive full sun.
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Where do Elderberries grow?Elderberry has the widest range of all small fruits in North America. It is known to grow from northern Quebec, Canada to South America. Elderberry is native to eastern North America. The American elderberry, Sambucus canadensis, typically grows in riparian areas as a bush. European elderberry, Sambucus nigra, typically grows as a small tree. Elderberries are successfully grown in almost every state in the US. We grow them commercially and they can also be grown in your backyard or garden.
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When should I plant elderberries?Place cuttings in growing medium in late January or February to have roots and be ready to plant in spring. It is advised if you are planting non-rooted cuttings in the ground, to plant them in as cold of weather as you can. The cool weather keeps them from leafing out from the top buds and the cutting can focus on making roots from the bottom buds. Plants may be set in ground from early spring to June, but late plantings will have little growth the first year. A single cultivar will give good pollination for adequate production. Pollination usually occurs by wind while insects play a minor role. Browsing by deer can decrease production significantly. Birds and small animals are also attracted to the elderberry fruit. In Missouri, full flowering occurs in mid-June. Production will increase rapidly the first three years.
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How can I edit my information for the Subscription Box?If you create a login on our website before signing up for the subscription box you will be able to adjust any shipping or billing information on your account. If you have already signed up for the subscription box you will need to email us directly regarding any changes that need to be made.
External Articles & Resources
Read about the 5.3 million Dollar Elderberry Research Grant Here
Learn more about the Advancing Elderberry Group Here
The University of Missouri, College of Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Articles
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Elderberry Showcase by Linda Geist
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A Big Plan for A Small Berry by Andrew Thomas
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From Folklore to Science, Cultivating Elderberry by Mike Burden
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Promise of Elderberry by Linda Geist
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A Different Kind of Specialty Crop by Logan Jackson
From The Midwest Elderberry Cooperative Page
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The Little Berry That Could by Christopher J Patton
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Why Elderberries, Why Now by Katie Reneker
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How to Sell a Growing Elderberry Harvest by Christopher J Patton
American Elderberry Growing Resources
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The University of Missouri's Elderberry Financial Decision Support Tool
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Elderberry Research & Production by Patrick Byers & Andrew Thomas
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Growing & Marketing Elderberries in Missouri by Patrick Byers, Andrew Thomas, Mihaela Cernusca, Larry Godsey & Michael Gold
Insect & Disease Management
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Elderberry Rust Defoliating Plants University of Missouri Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources Department
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Plant Bugs Damaging Elderberries University of Missouri Integrated Pest Management
Relating to Food Processing
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Preserve It Fresh, Preserve It Safe Adapted from the University of MO Extension & University of KY Cooperative Extension Services
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Elderflower Production and Cyanide Concern by Andrew Thomas