Johns Elderberry Plants
Begins shipping early September.
Zones 3-9
Pollinator required to bear fruit
Keep your elderberry harvest going!
Johns ripens approximately two weeks later than Adams, so plan accordingly. Elderberries are somewhat naturally pest-resistant (including to Japanese beetles) because of their poisonous, stems, leaves and roots. It’s an easy plant to maintain and will add significant beauty to your landscape, especially when planted in groups of three or more. Lacy white edible flowers appear in the spring, followed by tender, almost-black berries near the end of summer. Use in jelly or jam, pie, syrup or dry the flowers for use in tea. Cold-hardy. Ripens in mid-August. Pollinator required: Choose any other elderberry variety.
Characteristics
| Bloom Color | White |
| Ripens/Harvest | Mid August |
| Fruit Color | Purple |
| Taste | Sweet |
| Texture | Firm, juicy |
| Soil Composition | Loamy |
| Soil Moisture | Well Drained |
| Soil pH | 5.5-6.5 |
| Shade Level | Partial Shade – Full Sun |
| Years to Bear | 2-3 |
| Hardiness Zone Range | 3-9 |
Size & Spacing
Pollination
This variety requires another one for adequate pollination.
Cross-pollination by a different variety is key to its growing and bearing success. Plant a different variety within 15 meters (50 feet) for best pollination.
How do I find my Hardiness Zone?
Canada’s Plant Hardiness Zones will tell you which plants will do well in your particular climate. Each zone is determined by the lowest average winter temperature recorded in a given area. Hardiness Zone information is included on all tree and plant product pages, so you know instantly whether a certain plant is likely to succeed where you live. Natural Resources Canada provides helpful options to find your zone:
John Lawall –
it never sprouted. Will be trying to reorder in time to still plant again this season.
Kelli Snow –
Good sized bush, very nice root ball. 2+months in and it’s growing nicely. I expect to have berries if not next year, the year after for sure.
Heather EdDahmouni –
Produced clusters the first year. Growth was significant second year, with significantly more fruit. Very happy with this variety.
Paul Kelley –
These had me worried they were not going to make it. But they did, not growing fast but just a few months old. But I read some times they die back and send new growth from the roots. Think there going to make a great plant. The Adams I bought with them has blooms. Some plants just grow faster then others.
Karen Keil –
Purchased the elderberry last year. It was shipped well and looked healthy. I put a wire fence around it when winter came so the rabbits and deer would not nibble on it. It is June and I have kept the fence around it as the rabbits still want to taste it. It has filled out and grown. I am very pleased with my purchase as it had to have been a very healthy plant root to start with.
W M –
I didn’t plan to comment on the two Johns Elderberry plants I purchased from Stark Brothers but received an email asking me to do so. Unfortunately, my experience was not very positive. The plants arrived in rather poor condition and did not look like they would survive. I planted them anyway and, sure enough, they are both dead. Of course, there are many reasons the plants may not have survived but their appearance upon arrival makes me reluctant to purchase elderberry plants from Stark Brothers again in the future.
Mercedes Flores –
I love my elderberry I have 3 elderberry and it grew beautifully.I highly recommend buying elderberry it produces beautiful berry.
Michaelr Oleson –
Very nice plants that have done very well, even through this year’s flooding.
Mona Smith –
Cold cloudy spring but the e,derberry look lush (for babies). Looking forward to this year and ne t.
Jeffrey Jeffrey –
Very nice looking bush. Took root easily. I recommend to anyone that wants an easy to maintain plant.