A vigorous, upright growing shrub, Thundercloud Elderberry is prized for its profuse, reddish-pink flower clusters and lush, deep-red to purple foliage. In the fall you will enjoy a good crop of tasty, bluish-black berries.
With abundant large clusters of white and pink flowers followed by jet black berries on red stems, these attractive and easy-to-grow large shrubs are very popular in European gardens and the fruit is used to make juice, wine and preserves. We offer selected fruiting varieties of this valuable species as well as many ornamental varieties, which also bear edible fruit. European Elderberries are hardy to minus 25 degrees F., USDA Zone 4, and self-fertile.
Latin Name: Sambucus nigra
Site and Soil: Thundercloud Elderberry like 1/2 day to full sun and well-drained soil.
Rootstock Description:
Pollination Requirements: European Elderberries are partially self-fertile. Plant two varieties for heavier crops.
Hardiness: European Elderberries are hardy to minus 25° F.
Bearing Age: 2 -3 years after planting.
Size at Maturity: 6-8 ft. in height.
Bloom Time: May
Ripening Time: September
Yield: 40-50 lbs.
Pests & Diseases: European Elderberry is not bothered by pests or diseases.
USDA Zone: 4
Sunset Western Zone: 2-7, 14-17
Sunset Northeast Zone: 32, 34, 39