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Elderberry 'Berry Hill' (Sambucus canadensis)

Elderberry 'Berry Hill' (Sambucus canadensis)

$22.00 CAD
$22.00 CAD
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Why We Grow It

We grow Berry Hill because its very early bloom and ripening make it one of the most dependable elderberries for cold regions with early frosts. As a true canadensis, it offers natural resilience, strong winter hardiness, and reliable fruit set without the later-season maturity issues found in some hybrids. Its dependable performance, clean flavor, and suitability for short-season orchards make it an excellent choice for northern growers and food forest plantings.

How the Plant Grows

The coppice king! Elderberries grow rapidly, producing dense, bushy shrubs with pinnate green leaves. In late spring to early summer, they bloom with large, fragrant flower heads that attract bees and other pollinators. By late summer, these flowers develop into clusters of small, dark purple to black berries. Elderberries respond well to coppicing, which can rejuvenate older plants and provide a sustainable source of biomass. They thrive in moist, nutrient-rich soils but are remarkably adaptable, growing in a variety of conditions, including wet or marginal areas.

Plant Size

Size at Maturity- Shrub/Midstory Layer. Grows to 8-20 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide, with rapid annual growth

Current Size- Rooted cuttings. Cut back to fit into package. Up to 18" tall with robust roots.

Additional Info

Berry Hill is a true Sambucus canadensis selection and traces its origin to a naturally occurring wild elderberry stand discovered in Vermont. It was selected and named by Lewis Hill, a well-known nurseryman, plant collector, and cold-climate fruit grower from Greensboro, VT.

Elderberries are fast-growing, multi-functional shrubs that bring fast growing biodiversity, and utility to gardens and food forests. Known for their large, showy flower heads in summer and clusters of dark, flavorful berries in late summer to fall, elderberries are highly valued for their culinary and medicinal uses. These hardy plants thrive in a variety of climates and are a cornerstone for ecological and permaculture designs, offering benefits to both humans and wildlife.

Variety 'Berry Hill'

Berry Hill is a productive, early-blooming pure American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) known for its outstanding cold-climate reliability. Unlike hybrid cultivars, Berry Hill is a true canadensis selection, valued for its adaptability and consistent performance across a wide range of northern growing conditions. It is the earliest bloomer of all major elderberry cultivars, making it especially well suited for regions with early fall frosts or shorter growing seasons. Berry Hill produces uniform clusters of medium-sized berries with excellent flavor for syrup, wine, juice, and medicinal use, and it handles variable soils and northern winters with ease.

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Plant Highlights

  • Water

    Prefers consistent moisture, especially during establishment and berry production, though it can tolerate occasional wet conditions

  • Pollination

    Partially self-fertile but benefits from cross-pollination between multiple varieties for improved fruit yield

  • Soil

    Thrives in rich, moist, well-drained soils but is adaptable to a range of soil types. Known to grow in poor soils as well.

  • Years to Bear

    Produces flowers and berries as early as 2-3 years after planting. Most of our rooted cuttings had flowers and fruit on them that we pull off.

  • Hardiness

    Zones 3-9, tolerating temperatures as low as -45°C

  • Solar

    Prefers full sun, though it can tolerate partial shade; best fruit production occurs in full sunlight.