York Elderberry Plant

York Elderberry is one of the most productive and versatile fruiting shrubs you can grow — and one of the most on-trend. Beloved by home foragers, herbalists, jam makers, and winemakers alike, York produces generous clusters of large, dark purple berries in mid-to-late August that are rich in vitamin C and packed with flavor. Beautiful in the landscape and generous in the harvest, it’s a plant that earns its place in almost any backyard.

A Four-Season Landscape Plant That Also Feeds You

York doesn’t just produce great fruit — it looks great doing it. In spring, the shrubs are covered in large, fragrant white flower clusters that attract pollinators and add genuine ornamental value. By late summer those flowers give way to heavy, drooping clusters of deep purple berries. In between, the lush green foliage provides structure and privacy. And through fall and winter, the berries that remain are a magnet for birds and wildlife.

What to Do With Your Harvest

York berries are a kitchen staple for those who discover them. Cook them into jams, jellies, syrups, and wines, or use them to make the homemade elderberry syrup that’s become a household staple for natural wellness enthusiasts. The flavor is rich, sweet, and deeply fruity — unlike anything you’ll find at a grocery store.

Important: Elderberries must be cooked before consumption. Fresh, raw elderberries can be toxic. Always properly prepare berries before eating or using in recipes.

Easy to Grow, Adaptable, and Long-Lived

York is one of the most forgiving fruiting shrubs you can plant. It tolerates a wide range of soil conditions — from dry to moist — and performs well in partial shade as well as full sun. Once established, these are vigorous, cold-hardy shrubs that require minimal care and reward you with bigger harvests each year.

Why Growers Love York

• Heavy producer — one of the largest-berried, most prolific elderberry varieties
• Ripens mid-to-late August — later than Nova, extending your harvest window
• Wildlife friendly — attracts birds, pollinators, and beneficial insects
• Tolerates partial shade — productive even in less-than-ideal light conditions
• Adaptable to most soils — grows in dry or moist conditions once established
• Pollinator required — plant with any other elderberry variety within 100 feet