Black Chokeberry (Aronia)
Aronia melanocarpa
A superfood berry on a bulletproof native shrub — glossy fruit, fiery fall colour, zero fuss.
- Zone 3–8
- 6 ft
- Full Sun
Nova Scotia grownShipped across CanadaSeasonal bare-root shipping
Nursery grown



Sambucus canadensis
Fast-growing native for syrup, wine, and wildlife. Thrives in moist ground where other plants sulk.
Out of season — ordering reopens in November.
Browse varieties and plan your planting now. Product pages remain available year-round.
Ordering reopens in November
Ships Spring
Pot-ready — Established in a nursery pot with soil, so the planting window is flexible — hold it happily for weeks before it goes in the ground.
Why buy from Little Tree Farm?
Best planting time: Spring (Apr–Jun) · Dormant shipping ensures the best possible start.
Product details
Hardy Elderberry Tree Are you ready to enhance your garden and boost your well-being with the power of elderberries? Our Elderberry Plants are the perfect choice. Here's why: Hardiness Zone Suitable for Zones 3-9, our Elderberry Plants adapt well to a wide range of climates, providing you with a reliable harvest. Ideal Soil Type These hardy shrubs thrive in well-draining, loamy soil, but they're remarkably adaptable to different soil types. Maintain a slightly acidic to neutral pH level (around 6.0 to 7.0) for optimal growth. Fruit Size Enjoy abundant clusters of small, nutrient-rich elderberries, perfect for creating immune-boosting syrups, jams, pies, and even wine. Height of Our Elderberry Tree Plant Mature Elderberry Plants can reach heights of 6-12 feet, offering both visual appeal and privacy screening in your garden. Flowering Time The Elderberry tree bursts into creamy white blossoms in late spring to early summer, attracting beneficial pollinators to your garden. Growth Habits These plants display a bushy and vigorous growth habit, making them ideal for hedges, borders, or as standalone focal points in your landscape. What to Do with the Fruit Elderberries are versatile. Harvest and transform them into immune-boosting syrups, jams, jellies, and pies. They're also perfect for creating elderberry wine, rich in antioxidants. Ripeness Indicator Elderberries are ripe when they turn dark purple or black and have a soft, plump texture. Typically, this occurs in late summer to early fall. Additional Requirements - Sunlight: Ensure Elderberry tree receive at least 6 hours of sunlight daily for abundant fruit production. - Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the growing season, to support healthy growth and fruit development. - Pruning: Regular pruning in late winter or early spring helps maintain shape and encourage new growth. - Pollination: These varieties are self-pollinating, but planting multiple Elderberry shrubs can increase fruit production. - Spacing: Plant Elderberry shrubs 6-10 feet apart to allow for healthy growth and airflow. Why Choose Our Elderberry Plants - Expertly Cultivated: Our Elderberry tree is grown with care, ensuring strong, healthy specimens ready to thrive in your garden. - Bountiful Harvests: Enjoy a generous supply of nutrient-rich elderberries, perfect for your well-being and culinary adventures. - Adaptable to Your Space: Elderberry can be tailored to your garden, serving both aesthetic and practical purposes. - Year-Round Beauty: Beyond the delectable fruit, they contribute to your garden's allure with their beautiful foliage and blossoms. Elderberry Tree Varieties: Native Elderberry: Bigger berries thrive on robust John elderberry plants, with a harvest typically arriving about two weeks after Adams. Low-maintenance bushes . Their lush green foliage adds an attractive gloss to your landscape. In spring, enjoy the sight of enormous clusters of white flowers that transform into soft, nearly black berries come late summer. Both the elderflowers and ripe elderberries are edible, making this cultivar versatile. John elderberries are cold-hardy and typically ripen in mid-August. They also serve as excellent pollinators for other elderberry varieties. Bob Gordan Elderberry: Bob Gordon elderberry stands out with its exceptionally sweet and plump berries, surpassing many other elderberry varieties. It was first discovered in Osceola, Missouri, in 1999. These berries boast an impressive antioxidant content, exceeding that of cherries by more than four times. Robust and prolific, Bob Gordon plants are low-maintenance and yield substantial ¼-inch elderberries, perfect for pies, jams, wines, and syrups. They exhibit some resistance to Japanese beetles. The unique hanging flower heads help naturally deter bird damage, but it's advisable to use netting to protect the fruit before ripening in July. Bob Gordon serves as an excellent pollinator for various elderberry varieties. Big Berry Elderberry Big Berry elderberry is selected for its impressively large, plump fruit clusters , producing noticeably bigger berries than most standard elderberry varieties. Known for its rich flavour and high antioxidant content, this variety offers exceptional yields that make it ideal for pies, jams, wines, syrups, and herbal uses. Vigorous and low-maintenance, Big Berry forms strong canes that support its heavy crops, thriving in cold climates with minimal care. The abundant flower heads develop into oversized, dark-purple berries that ripen mid-summer, making it a standout choice for homesteads, food forests, and small-scale farms. Plant alongside another elderberry variety for best pollination and maximum fruit set.
Planting compatibility
Healthy roots start with the right match. Here's where this plant shines.
Zone 3 to 9
Cold hardy and resilient through northern winters.
Part Shade
Comfortable with less direct sun.
Rich, moist
Prefers moist moisture conditions.
10 ft tall · 8 ft wide
Plant 6 ft apart for healthy growth.
Beginner Friendly
Low fuss once established.
Fast growing — quick presence
First harvest in about 2 years.
Climate confidence
Works well for
We'd rather tell you now than disappoint you later.
Plant two for best fruit set.
This plant travels dormant — no leaves to wilt, energy stored in the roots. Spring shipping means it wakes up in your soil, not in a box.
Your order reserves the plant; we grow it on until it's time.
Dug fresh, roots wrapped moist, packed by hand.
Shipped when your zone's planting weeks arrive — planting guide included.
Local to Nova Scotia? Free farm pickup is available for your Elderberry at checkout. Details on the shipping page.
Common questions
Elderberry is hardy in Zones 3–9. Inside that range it will handle winter reliably; one zone colder is possible with a sheltered site and mulch.
Yes — Elderberry needs a pollination partner nearby to produce well.
Ships Spring — we ship in the ideal planting window for your region, with roots protected and planting instructions included.
Expect roughly 10 ft tall and 8 ft wide at maturity, so plant about 6 ft apart.
Typically around 2 years to first harvest — young plants put their energy into roots first, and it pays off for decades.
Keep exploring
Companions, neighbours, and next additions for your landscape.
Ordering reopens in November
Ships Spring