1 4

Elderberry 'Jumbo' (Sambucus canadensis x nigra)

Elderberry 'Jumbo' (Sambucus canadensis x nigra)

$22.00 CAD
$22.00 CAD
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.
Size

Special Offers

Mix and Match Elderberry Bundle 20% Off
$110.00 CAD
$88.00 CAD
Choose your Elderberry (Bundly)
Elderberry Cultivar Bundle
 × 5
View bundle

Why We Grow It

We grow Jumbo because it offers superior fruit size, yield, and reliability compared to wild elderberries. Its hybrid vigor gives strong canes, heavy production, and better resistance to cold and disease, making it a dependable choice for northern growers. The large, uniform berries are perfect for value-added products like syrups, wines, tinctures, and jams, and its consistent performance makes it ideal for both home use and small-scale commercial 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

Hybrid of Sambucus nigra × Sambucus canadensis, bred to combine the large berry size of European elder with the cold-hardiness and disease resistance of North American elder. Produces noticeably heavy clusters with large, uniform berries that process extremely well for syrup, wine, and medicinal preparations.

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 'Jumbo'

Jumbo is a vigorous, high-yielding hybrid elderberry developed from crosses between European elder (Sambucus nigra) and North American elder (Sambucus canadensis). This breeding work combined the large berry size and heavy clusters of nigra with the cold hardiness, disease resistance, and adaptability of canadensis. The result is a standout cultivar that produces much larger berries and denser fruit trusses than wild elder types, with strong cane growth and reliable cropping in cooler climates. Jumbo’s improved fruit quality makes it excellent for syrup, wine, juice, and preserves, and its hybrid vigor gives it dependable performance in a wide range of conditions.

View full details

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 4-9, tolerating temperatures as low as -35°C (-31°F)

  • Solar

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