Hashberg Black Elderberry is a deciduous shrub that is commercially grown in Europe for its high yields of large, sweet, dark purple to black berries. The densely packed clusters of fruits are sweet and exceptionally juicy, making them great for wines, pies, and jellies. Elderberries are packed full of vitamins and flavonoids. Sambucus nigra 'Haschberg' shrubs start producing fruits 2 to 3 years after planting. Mature plants can bear 40 to 50 pounds of berries. Fruits ripen in September. This tall shrub has thick stems, and attractive compound leaves making them a perfect choice for a hedge or border plant. Gorgeous white, flat-topped clusters of tiny, white flowers appear in June-July. While Hashberg Black Elderberry is self-fertile, having multiple varieties of Sambucus nigra will improve fruit yield. Black Elderberry is less hardy than American Elderberry (S. canadensis), but still grows easily in zones 4a and 4b. Haschberg Elderberry is easy to grow in a range of conditions, but prefers moist areas with full sun for optimal fruit production. The nectar packed flower clusters are great for pollinator species, like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
