Vintage Elderberry

Bring the exceptional Vintage Germplasm Elderberry (Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis ‘Vintage’) to your landscape, a superior American elderberry selected from high performing wild populations in Michigan and officially released in 2010 by the USDA NRCS Rose Lake Plant Materials Center. Rigorously tested for durability and adaptability, this hardy, self fertile variety excels in riparian areas, wet soils, and conservation plantings.

With proven performance in temperatures ranging from negative thirty degree winters to hot, humid summers, Vintage Germplasm thrives across USDA Zones 3 through 9 and matures into an eight to twelve foot tall, wide spreading shrub that naturally forms productive, vigorous thickets. Large, creamy white flower clusters transition into heavy crops of glossy dark purple black berries ideal for syrups, jams, wines, pies, and traditional herbal preparations.

Why Choose Vintage Germplasm Elderberry?

• Extreme Resilience: Bred for cold and heat tolerance to ensure consistent harvests in diverse climates.
• Easy Establishment: Selected for strong performance and rapid establishment across a wide range of environments.
• Versatile Soils: Thrives in sandy loam, silty soils, and heavy clay.
• Pollinator Friendly: Creamy white flowers attract bees and butterflies; berries provide valuable wildlife forage.
• Self Fertile: Capable of fruiting on its own though planting additional varieties can boost yields.
• Native Origin: Sourced from superior North American wild populations with decades of testing behind it.

Medicinal and Nutritional Benefits
Vintage Germplasm elderberries offer a nutrient dense profile rich in anthocyanins, antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A, and immune supportive flavonoids. Like other American elderberries, they have long been used in herbal traditions for supporting respiratory wellness, enhancing immune function, and offering seasonal health benefits. Their dark, antioxidant rich fruit is excellent for syrups, teas, tinctures, jellies, wines, and wellness preparations, making this variety a powerful addition to both the garden and the home apothecary.

Planting and Growing Instructions

1. Preparing the Cuttings: Place cuttings in water or moist soil immediately upon arrival. Cuttings may be rooted indoors or planted directly outdoors when conditions allow.
2. Planting Time: Plant in early spring as soon as the ground thaws through mid spring.
   Location: Choose full sun to partial shade for optimal fruiting and plant vigor.
3. Soil Preferences: Prefers moist, well draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
4. Spacing: Space plants 2 to 4 feet apart in rows spaced 10 to 14 feet apart for airflow and ease of maintenance.
5. Watering: Keep soil consistently moist while roots establish. Once rooted, maintain regular watering during dry periods.
6. Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged wood and promote strong new first year growth.

Pro Tips for Success
• Cross Pollination: While self fertile, Vintage Germplasm benefits from planting with another American elderberry variety for improved yields.
• Harvesting: Pick berries when fully ripe and deep purple black. Ripe American elderberries can be eaten fresh or cooked for enhanced flavor.
• Wildlife and Beauty: Ideal for hedgerows, riparian buffers, privacy plantings, and pollinator gardens. Flowers and berries support biodiversity while adding ornamental appeal.

All elderberry bundles include a minimum of three cuttings with two or more nodes each. Please see product photos for examples of bundle sizes.

Shipping Details: Sold as dormant cuttings in bundles, shipped fresh starting in February. STORE IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR UNTIL PLANTING.

Non-GMO Commitment: At Growing Farmers and The Farm on Central, all our plants are guaranteed non-GMO and not genetically modified in any way, upholding natural breeding methods and promoting sustainable gardening and farming practices.

Growing method: Grown on our Coop farms using natural growing methods, no chemicals used.

Which Elderberry Should I Grow?  

Elderberry Growing Instruction Guide