Crops › Elderberry
How to grow Elderberry
in the US
Sow March to October, plant out November, harvest May to September. About 365 days from seed to plate. You can sow it this month.
Shown for zone 6. Zone table further down.
Elderberry is a real treasure for the backyard, proper easy to grow once it gets going. You get lovely flowers for cordial, then heaps of dark berries perfect for pies, jams, and even wine. It's a cracking plant that earns its spot on the plot.
Sowing
You won't often find elderberry plug plants, so you're usually starting from seed or planting a young bare-root plant. If you're sowing seeds, timing really depends on your USDA zone, like the GrowMore CookMore app shows for zones 5-7. For many, that means starting seeds indoors in March or April, or even in fall for some zones, to let them stratify over winter. Plant seeds about a quarter-inch deep (6 mm) in good potting mix, then keep them moist. If you're planting a young plant, do it after all danger of frost has passed in your area.
Growing on
Once your elderberry seedlings are big enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots. Harden them off gradually for a week or two before planting them outside. You want to make sure the last frost has well and truly passed before they go into their permanent spot. Give them plenty of room, about 6 to 10 feet (1.8 to 3 meters) apart, as they grow into decent-sized shrubs. They'll appreciate a sunny spot with good drainage.
Looking after it
Elderberries aren't too demanding, to be honest. Keep them watered, especially in dry spells during their first year. A good mulch around the base will help keep moisture in and weeds down. They don't need much feeding once established, but a bit of compost around the base in spring won't hurt. Proper pruning each year will keep them healthy and productive.
What goes wrong
Like many things in the backyard, elderberries can attract a few pests. Aphids might show up on new growth, but a good blast of water often sorts them out, or you can try a bit of insecticidal soap. Slugs can be a bother for young plants too, so keep an eye out and maybe use some organic slug pellets or traps. Companion plants like thyme, chives, or borage can help deter some unwanted visitors.
Harvest
You'll be harvesting elderberry flowers in late spring, then the berries usually ripen in August or September. Look for full clusters of deep purple-black berries; they should be proper ripe. Snip the whole cluster off with scissors rather than picking individual berries. Use them straight away for cordial or pies, or you can freeze them. Store any fresh berries in a cool, dry place, or refrigerate if you need them to last a few days.
On my plot, I always plant some white clover around the base of my elderberry plants. It's a cracking companion, helps the soil, and keeps the weeds down a bit, you know what I mean.
Dates for your plot
Type your zone and the plant-out advice shifts to your frost dates.
Varieties, and whether the club would grow them again
| Variety | Club verdict |
|---|---|
| Adams Adams is a classic elderberry variety, known for being a real workhorse in the garden. It consistently produces a good crop of berries, making it a solid choice for any gardener. | No club votes yet |
| York The York elderberry is another dependable maincrop variety, giving you plenty of berries for all your cooking and preserving. It's a sturdy plant that stands up well in most climates. | No club votes yet |
| Johns Johns elderberry is a popular choice, particularly valued for its early ripening berries. It's a vigorous grower that reliably delivers a generous harvest. | No club votes yet |
| Nova This Nova variety is a great all-rounder, offering both good yields and disease resistance. It's an excellent option if you're looking for a robust and productive plant. | No club votes yet |
| Ranch Ranch elderberry is known for its strong growth and consistent berry production year after year. It's a good solid choice if you want a reliable plant for your backyard. | No club votes yet |
| Bob Gordon Bob Gordon is a favorite for its large, sweet berries that are perfect for juice and jelly. This variety is a strong performer, giving you a good harvest every season. | No club votes yet |
| Wyldewood Wyldewood is a prolific elderberry, famous for its massive flower heads and abundant berries. It's a cracking choice if you want to maximize your harvest of both flowers and fruit. | No club votes yet |
| Marge The Marge elderberry is a reliable maincrop variety, producing plenty of dark, flavorful berries. It's a straightforward plant to grow, ideal for making all sorts of delicious preserves. | No club votes yet |
| Samdal Samdal is a European elderberry variety, well-regarded for its consistent and heavy yields. If you're after a plant that delivers a lot of fruit, this one won't disappoint. | No club votes yet |
| Samyl Another excellent European variety, Samyl is prized for its high-quality berries and strong growth habit. It's a reliable choice for anyone looking for a productive and easy-to-manage elderberry. | No club votes yet |
| Haschberg Haschberg is a well-known commercial elderberry, offering excellent yields of large berries. It's a sturdy and disease-resistant plant, making it a great option for home growers too. | No club votes yet |
| Scotia Scotia elderberry is a dependable variety, providing good harvests of berries suitable for many culinary uses. It's a robust plant that will thrive in various conditions. | No club votes yet |
| Kent The Kent elderberry is a reliable maincrop producer, known for its consistent yields of quality berries. It's a good all-around choice for making jellies, wines, and other treats. | No club votes yet |
| Gelderland Gelderland is a strong-growing elderberry variety, offering a steady supply of berries once established. It's a good option if you're looking for a hardy and fruitful plant for your backyard. | No club votes yet |
| Black Beauty Black Beauty is a striking elderberry, with dark purple foliage and pink flowers alongside its berries. It's a beautiful plant that also gives you a decent crop of fruit. | No club votes yet |
Votes are members rating varieties in their Seed Tin, one vote per gardener. Tap a variety for the full page and where to buy.
Buy Elderberry seeds
Partner retailers. If you buy through these links we may earn a small commission. It never costs you more.
Sowing by USDA zone
| Zone | Sow / plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | April to May | July to August |
| Zone 4 | April to September | June to August |
| Zone 5 | March to September | June to September |
| Zone 6 | March to October | May to September |
| Zone 7 | March to October | May to September |
| Zone 8 | February to November | May to October |
| Zone 9 | February to November | April to October |
| Zone 10 | September to March | April to November |
Cook the harvest
A crisp, buttery tart shell is filled with silky lemon curd then topped with a glossy elderberry compote for a dessert that is dramatic in appearance and extraordinary in flavour. The bright, tart lemon curd and the deep, wine-like elderberry complement each other in a way that is genuinely surprising. It is a grown-up, impressive dessert that showcases elderberry at its most sophisticated.
60 min · mediumA deep-dish, double-crust pie filled with ripe elderberries sweetened just enough to let their wild, wine-like flavor shine through. The filling sets to a jammy, sliceable consistency with just a touch of cornstarch, and the all-butter crust bakes to a deep golden flake. This is one of those old-fashioned American farmhouse pies that reminds you why seasonal baking exists.
85 min · mediumThis clear, deep-violet elderberry and apple jelly combines the complex, wine-like flavour of elderberries with the natural pectin of apples for a beautifully set, intensely flavoured preserve. It is stunning on a cheese board alongside aged Manchego or Stilton, or spread on warm buttered toast on an autumn morning. The apple adds both pectin and a gentle sweetness that rounds the tartness of the elderberries.
90 min · mediumA small-batch elderberry jam with an intense, wine-dark color and complex, slightly tart flavor that makes it the most sophisticated jam on any breakfast table. Cooked thoroughly to activate the pectin in the berries and neutralize any compounds in raw fruit, this jam sets beautifully without added pectin. Pair it with cheese boards, toast, or swirl into yogurt.
55 min · mediumWatch for, and grow alongside
Companions: thyme, chives, tansy, white clover, borage
Questions people ask
When do you sow Elderberry in the US?
Sow Elderberry from March to October in zone 6, earlier or later by zone. Plant out November, after the last frost.
How long does Elderberry take from sowing to harvest?
Roughly 365 days, with the harvest May to September.
Which Elderberry varieties do gardeners grow again?
Club members rate every variety they grow. This page shows the grow-again votes for Adams, York, Johns, Nova and more.
Track your Elderberry from packet to plate
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.
Allotment keeper in the North East of England, the voice behind the Tony C Smith YouTube channel, and the gardener who built GrowMore CookMore. Club numbers on this page update as members log their plots. Last updated 3 September 2026.