[Fall/Winter 2025 Update]
Winter is here, and plants are now fully dormant. It’s a great time to plant bare-root stock, cuttings, and dormant plants! Check back often for updates on what’s available. All plants being shipped will be fully dormant and bare root. They’ll appreciate being planted in the ground as soon as possible after arrival!
Bob Gordon (Sambucus canadensis)
Bob Gordon is a standout American elderberry variety, renowned for its large, pendulous flower and fruit clusters. This cultivar produces exceptionally plump, dark purple berries with a rich flavor, making it an excellent choice for jams, jellies, syrups, and wines. Its vigorous growth habit and reliable fruiting make it a favorite among growers.
One unique characteristic of Bob Gordon is its inverted flower heads, which naturally hang downward, helping to protect the ripening fruit from sunscald and pests. This elderberry is also highly productive, though it requires cross-pollination with another compatible elderberry variety, such as Wyldewood or Native elders for optimal fruit set.
Size: Typically grows 6–8 feet tall and wide, depending on growing conditions
Hardiness Zone: 4–9
Growing Conditions:
Light: Prefers full sun to partial shade
Soil: Tolerates a range of soil types but thrives in moist, well-drained soil with high organic matter
pH: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5–7.5)
Water: Requires consistent moisture, especially during establishment and fruiting
**Standard Cuttings: Typically pinky- to thumb-thick and 6–14 inches long. These premium cuttings are ideal for reliable propagation. Their larger size allows direct planting into firm ground without tools.
**Bulk/Grade B Cuttings: A mix of larger and smaller cuttings, often with a single node. Cost-effective for establishing larger quantities, these are used for our own nursery stock propagation.
**Rooted Cuttings: Cuttings rooted in sterile soil, shipped in 2–3" paper pots/plugs. These grow quickly at this stage.
**First-Year Live Plants: Large, well-established first-year plants, typically in 3–4" deep pots. These plants, usually 1–2 feet tall, develop into large, semi-mature bushes by the next growing season.
[Fall/Winter 2025 Update]
Winter is here, and plants are now fully dormant. It’s a great time to plant bare-root stock, cuttings, and dormant plants! Check back often for updates on what’s available. All plants being shipped will be fully dormant and bare root. They’ll appreciate being planted in the ground as soon as possible after arrival!
Bob Gordon (Sambucus canadensis)
Bob Gordon is a standout American elderberry variety, renowned for its large, pendulous flower and fruit clusters. This cultivar produces exceptionally plump, dark purple berries with a rich flavor, making it an excellent choice for jams, jellies, syrups, and wines. Its vigorous growth habit and reliable fruiting make it a favorite among growers.
One unique characteristic of Bob Gordon is its inverted flower heads, which naturally hang downward, helping to protect the ripening fruit from sunscald and pests. This elderberry is also highly productive, though it requires cross-pollination with another compatible elderberry variety, such as Wyldewood or Native elders for optimal fruit set.
Size: Typically grows 6–8 feet tall and wide, depending on growing conditions
Hardiness Zone: 4–9
Growing Conditions:
Light: Prefers full sun to partial shade
Soil: Tolerates a range of soil types but thrives in moist, well-drained soil with high organic matter
pH: Prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5–7.5)
Water: Requires consistent moisture, especially during establishment and fruiting
**Standard Cuttings: Typically pinky- to thumb-thick and 6–14 inches long. These premium cuttings are ideal for reliable propagation. Their larger size allows direct planting into firm ground without tools.
**Bulk/Grade B Cuttings: A mix of larger and smaller cuttings, often with a single node. Cost-effective for establishing larger quantities, these are used for our own nursery stock propagation.
**Rooted Cuttings: Cuttings rooted in sterile soil, shipped in 2–3" paper pots/plugs. These grow quickly at this stage.
**First-Year Live Plants: Large, well-established first-year plants, typically in 3–4" deep pots. These plants, usually 1–2 feet tall, develop into large, semi-mature bushes by the next growing season.
