Bob Gordon American Elderberry
The Bob Gordon American Elderberry was identified and collected from the wild by Robert Gordon, Charlotte Cooper, and Andrew Thomas near Osceola, MO, on September 29, 1999. The berries are dark purple, ripen uniformly in the cymes, and are resistant to shattering.
Bob Gordan American Elderberry has large clusters of fragrant, white flowers that appear in spring which are followed by clusters of large, dark, purple to black berries in late summer to fall. Fruit can be harvested for making elderberry wine and jam, or left on the plant to provide seasonal forage for wildlife. Grow it as a shrub, or cut it back each year and use it as a bold perennial.
Excellent when made into Elderberry Syrup!
Latin Name: Sambucus canadensis
Site and Soil: American Elderberries like 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Pollination Requirements: Plant with another American Elderberry variety for cross-pollination.
Hardiness: Hardy to minus 30° F.
Bearing Age: 2 -3 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 6-8 ft. in height.
Bloom Time: June
Ripening Time: September
Yield: 20+ lbs.
Pests & Diseases: Elderberries are not bothered by pests or diseases
USDA Zone: 3-9