Elderberries

Among the fruits we eat, berries are closer to wild foods and are therefore much higher in antioxidants and phytonutrients that strongly support our immune systems and general health. Berries are also kid-height and kids don’t need encouragement to pick them once they know when they are ripe!

Most berries are unavailable in grocery stores and are very seldom found at farmer’s markets. The few berries that can be found, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, are picked unripe, shipped hundreds or thousands of miles, and are most often lacking in the flavor and freshness of homegrown fruits. These days, many are even grown in greenhouses, or even hydroponically, where the fruits don’t receive the natural stimuli for producing phytonutrients.

Most berries are pretty easy to grow. Currants and gooseberries are moderate-sized shrubs, and grow best in partial shade in Colorado, with soil improved with one third compost to two thirds your regular clay soil. Water deeply twice a week the first year, and usually once a week deeply once the plants are mature. The fruits of our native currants (Ribes aureum and Ribes odoratum), particularly the selections ‘Crandall’ and ‘Gwen’s Buffalo’, are sweet and flavorful when fully ripe, and relished by children of all ages. European currants and gooseberries are favorites for making pies and preserves, with the addition of sugar.

Elderberries have been grown for their medicinal and culinary uses, as well as their beauty and rapid growth, for centuries. They grow to 8-10 feet tall and wide and need two different varieties of the same species for pollination (for example: plant one Sambucus nigra ‘Mikl’s’ and one S. nigra ‘Marge’ near one another to get fruit. They can even be planted together in one hole if you have a small space. Elderberries also thrive in part shade or morning sun and afternoon shade, and soil and watering recommendations are the same as for currants. In addition to elderberry syrup, you can
make elderberry brandy with the flowers or the berries, as well as elderberry flower pancakes, and all kinds of baked goods and preserves.

Raspberries are suckering plants that make colonies and can be planted in rows and staked to wires between free posts. Ours are either ever-bearing varieties, bearing in summer on old canes and again in fall on new canes, or Primocane varieties, bearing fruit on the current year’s canes in the fall. They have prickly stems, but the berries are easy to reach for harvest without injury. There is nothing like a fully ripe, fresh raspberry! Our varieties are ‘primocane’, meaning that they bear fruit on new (the current year’s) growth. We recommend mowing them down in autumn, even if the variety is “everbearing”. Part shade is ideal for raspberries, but full sun is okay, too. All are best fertilized with half to one cup of organic fertilizer every September, and mulched to make good crops.

Our varieties are ‘primocane’, meaning that they bear fruit on new (the current year’s) growth. We recommend mowing them down in autumn, even if the variety is “everbearing”. Part shade is ideal for raspberries. All are best fertilized with half to one cup of organic fertilizer every September, and mulched to make good crops.

Our Blackberries are thornless (and you wouldn’t want them any other way!). The canes can be tied to a trellis or fence, and soil and fertilizer recommendations are the same as those for raspberries.’ Triple Crown’ produces large, delicious berries that begin ripening in late July or early August on second-year canes. We have never found store-bought blackberries that were worth paying for.

Currently in stock: 

‘Triple Crown’ Blackberry – This productive plant yields large, juicy, black berries that offers copious crops on vigorous canes. Named for its three attributes: flavor, productivity, and vigor. Thornless semi-erect canes need support, especially under heavy fruit load. Self pollinating and disease resistant. Ripens begins in late July/early August. Hands-down winner of a public taste-test conducted by Boulder County extension service at Longmont Farmer’s Market. Hardy to USDA zone 5.

‘Pixwell Gooseberry’ – Prolific large oval berries that are light green, turning rosy pink when ripe. Fruit is prized for pies and preserves, more than for fresh eating. Best in part shade if summers are hot. Mildew and drought resistant. Hardy to USDA zone 3.

‘Hinnomaki’ Red Gooseberry – A medium-sized red gooseberry with outstanding flavor. The skin is tangy and the flesh is sweet. Great for fresh eating or pies. This very productive, upright bush has good resistance to mildew. Hardy to zone 2. Does well in sun to part shade.

Cutleaf Black Elderberry – Sambucus nigra v laciniata- A fast growing deciduous shrub known for its fern-like green foliage and white, citrus-scented flowers. It offers high wildlife value, providing edible black berries in late summer.  It thrives in full sun to part shade.  Plant with another S. nigra variety for successful fruiting.  Makes great elderberry syrup.  Hardy to USDA zone 3.

‘Marge’ Black Elderberry – Sambucus nigra- A cross of the American black elderberry with the European black elderberry which gives us large berries and all of the characteristics of the European varieties. ‘Marge’ is said to be self-pollinating so only one plant is needed for fruit production.  Flowers form on the previous year’s woody growth so fruit will begin to form the second year after planting. Very productive.  Hardy to USDA zone 3.

‘Mikl’s’ Black Elderberry – Sambucus nigra – Highly regarded as a medicinal plant for immune system support, Mikl’s has large showy clusters of white flowers followed by clusters of small, purple-black berries that can be used for jams and jellies or in tinctures and syrups. Plant another black elderberry for pollination. This one comes from a plant in Mikl’s garden. Hardy in Boulder the last 35 years.

‘Johns’ Elderberry – Sambucus canadensis – Produces more fruit and earlier than other elderberries. Very large clusters of medium sized berries which are especially good for pies, jellies and elixirs.  Needs a pollenizer, any other sambucus canadensis selection.  Hardy to USDA zone 3.

‘Imperial White’ Currant – Ribes sativum – Pearly white translucent fruit has a pink blush with a flavor that is milder and sweeter than its red counterparts. Delicious fresh or for jams and jellies. Vigorous and hardy to USDA zone 3.

‘Heritage’ Red Raspberry – Rubus idaeus – Fall-fruiting heirloom. A tough and easy variety that is productive and good flavored. Mow to the ground in late Fall or February-mid March and remove all debris. Bushy habit requires no staking.  Hardy to USDA zone 4.

‘Anne’ Raspberry – Rubus idaeus – Tested in Colorado.  Produces large, super sweet berries, and considered the best tasting among the yellow varieties. Canes are long and vigorous. Mow to the ground in late fall or February – mid-March and remove the debris. Ripens from August to frost.

Black-fruiting Nanking Cherry – Prunus tomentosa ‘Nigra’ – A beautiful shrub that has both ornamental and edible qualities. The deep purple fruits have a sweet taste and a juicy texture. Plant with another Nanking Cherry selection for successful fruiting. Hardy to USDA zone 3.