Description

Larger berries on more vigorous plants. Fruit ripens about two weeks later than Adams. Carefree plants require little to no spraying. Green foliage has an appealing gloss to add landscape interest to this bush. Giant clusters of white flowers bloom in spring, becoming soft, nearly black berries in late summer. Both the elderflowers and the ripe elderberries are edible. Cold-hardy. Ripens in mid-August. Best pollinator: any other elderberry variety.

Note: Elderberries must be cooked before consumption. Consuming fresh elderberries can be toxic. Please ensure all berries are properly prepared before use.

Survival Guaranteed!

Since 1816, Stark Bro’s has promised to provide customers with the very best fruit trees and plants. It’s just that simple. If your trees or plants do not survive, please let us know within one year of delivery. We will send you a free one-time replacement, with a nominal shipping fee of $9.99. If the item in question is not available, we can issue a one-time credit to your account equaling the original product purchase price or issue you a refund. Read more about our warranty policy.

Characteristics

Bloom Color White
Fruit Color Purple
Fruit Size Medium - Large
Hardiness Zone Range 3 - 9
Pollination Pollinator Required
Ripens/Harvest Mid August
Shade/Sun Partial Shade - Full Sun
Soil Composition Loamy
Soil Moisture Well Drained
Soil pH Level 5.5 - 6.5
Taste Sweet
Texture Firm, Juicy
Years to Bear 2 - 3

Size & Spacing

Mature Size

When your plant matures, it will be approximately 6 - 10' tall x 6 - 8' wide.

Recommended Spacing

We recommend spacing these plants 6 - 8' apart to ensure room for growth.

Zone Compatibility

This Variety's Zone Range 3 - 9
My Hardiness Zone ?
The USDA hardiness zones offer a guide to varieties that will grow well in certain climates. Each zone corresponds to the minimum winter temperatures experienced in a given area. Make sure that your hardiness zone lies within the zone compatibility range of this variety before ordering.

Pollination

This variety requires another one for adequate pollination.

Cross-pollination by a different variety is key to its growing and bearing success. Plant one of these varieties within 100' for best pollination.

Tools & Supplies

Having the proper tools and supplies when growing your own can make the difference between a good harvest and a great harvest! Here's a list that our experts recommend for this variety.

Planting & Care

Learn all about how to grow elderberry plants in The Growing Guide. An entire section of our website dedicated to your growing success.

Shipping Information

Arrives when it's time to plant

Your success is our priority. We work hard to make sure that your order arrives at the ideal time for planting in your location based on your local climate conditions.

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Questions & Answers

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75 Questions
Why did you choose this?

I wanted to add more elderberry trees to the property and this is a good size!

To pollinate the Adams Elderberry. Yay! On sale!

on sale

Wanted more varieties in my orchard.

Customer Reviews

155 Ratings
4.4out of 5 stars
155 Ratings

Rated 5 stars by 78% of reviewers

Rated 4 stars by 6% of reviewers

Rated 3 stars by 4% of reviewers

Rated 2 stars by 1% of reviewers

Rated 1 star by 10% of reviewers

1-10 of 155 Reviews
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 25, 2025
Excellent Condition
Plants arrived in excellent condition. I planted them immediately, They wiggled their toes and took off!
They are beautiful. We live in the country and definitely needed deer protection on them. ??
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 16, 2025
Great plants
Ordered 2 elderberry . Arrived in great shape. Larger than I expected. It's been a couple months and they look and are growing great.
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 11, 2025
Johns elderberry plant
This is a vigorous plant which we received well packaged and with clear instructions. Now after several months of being in the ground it has actually created blossoms although I did not want it to produce elderberries this year as I think it is too young. Elderberry seem to be quite a rare thing in our area which I find to be odd in this Southeastern Appalachian mountains however this and the Nova elderberry will help us get a good start. I would recommend the Johns elderberry highly.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jul 23, 2025
thriving
I received these plants early in the Spring. My raised bed garden was not yet finished being built, so I could not plant them until June. I kept them watered until I could plant them in their designated bed and they are now thriving. I hope to see fruit next Spring.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jul 19, 2025
Xl plants
There were 2 elderberry xl plants that came in one very large box. It was a little difficult to get them out and once I did i noticed that there was a tiny bit of damage to the very top of the stems. That didn't really worry me. I planted them up and they didn't have any leaves on them. Now they have plenty of leaves and I have berries forming on the 1st season! Im so excited to harvest them soon!
Rated 5 out of 5
Jun 3, 2025
vigorous
Blooming in year 2 and growing vigorously. I look forward to harvesting. Needs deer protection
Rated 5 out of 5
Apr 14, 2025
Prolific spreading habit.
One of the hardiest of the elderberries with larger and juicer berries .
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 28, 2024
Hardy, prolific, quick growing
Quick growing, high producing elderberry bushes. Ours are quite tall, and have been wonderful. We purchased them for their berries, of course, but also as a privacy hedge and they did not disappoint. Worth the $11.99 we got them for in 2018.
Rated 5 out of 5
Aug 13, 2024
Bertha is Massive
This plant. We get 40 lbs of berries a year and have given runners to our neighbors. We cut it down to the ground every year and it springs up twenty feet tall. I'll eventually remove it this year - it's so large that it blocks our driveway by April through September.
Rated 5 out of 5
Jul 10, 2024
Happy with Stark
I'm new to this but I'm so happy with Stark. My bushes are so healthy and easy to plant
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