Johns Elderberry Plants
$29.99
Begins shipping mid-April.
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:
Eugene Eugene –
My first time dealing with Elderberry plants. I head read that they have shallow roots & must be watered frequently, so was surprised to see the long (about 18″) tap root on the bare root Johns Elderberry plant I received from Stark Bros.After digging a hole about 24″ deep and putting some water in it, my wife held the plant in place while I filled in around it with 1:1 hummus & manure:garden soil, tamped it down & watered it thoroughly. Only required watering 1 time after that. I live in zone 6b.That first season it grew 4 ft tall & produced 5 clusters of dinner plate sized blossom clusters & then berries!THIS season so far it is now over 6 ft tall with 15-16 canes, each with a cluster of blossoms growing on them, & I am excited about the coming crop. For 2-3 years now home made Elderberry syrup has done wonders for my frequent upper respiratory infections, & the same for my wife, Pastor & Choir director that I’ve shared it with. I bought this plant to supplement the berries I buy on line. I thank GOD for the wonderful medicinal plants He created, & Stark Bros. for making these available.
Niles Cocanour –
All I can say is Wow, ordered Adams and Johns and had berries the first year. Very prolific grower, will give you a nice hedge within a year. Berry clusters ripen at different times so you need to watch them and harvest as they ripen.
Victor Blauch –
UNBELIEVABLY large root systems !!!! Very healthy bear root plants ! Bought 6 sets last year and going back for 8 more sets this year. All flourished well in first season. Only drawback …. need to dig bigger holes. Very Happy to oblige.
C Shoemaker –
We planted 3 bushes this last March. Two took right off and reached a height of 6′ this summer. The third was a little slower but did well eventually. All had flowers and berries. Looking forward to next year’s crop to turn into some tasty wine.
Jed Brinkley –
I have tough growing conditions. Alkaline soil, high wind, summer drought. Not the best for growing wet and acid-loving elderberries. It did OK the first year, but didn’t come back the second. It will probably grow fine for other people who don’t have my extreme climate.
DONALD RICE –
Still waiting on fruit, but bush has multiplied like crazy. Many new shoots come up every summer. Maybe I’ll get fruit this year.
PAULINE HICKS –
I was very happy with the bare rooted plants I received. They were large plants in very good condition and a really good price.