Elderberry seedling with delicate green leaves and long roots on a burlap background.
Close-up of elderberry canes with clean cuts, displayed on rustic cloth.

Nova Elderberry

$15.00
Plant Type

Nova Elderberry
(Sambucus canadensis · Certified Organic)

Compact, cold-hardy, and consistently sweet—Nova elderberries are a strong pick for urban gardens, smaller spaces, and early harvests.

Full Product Description

Nova is a compact elderberry cultivar that thrives in cooler climates and performs beautifully in small spaces. It produces wide clusters of fragrant, creamy-white flowers in June, followed by deep purple berries that ripen uniformly—typically just before York—in early August.

Fruit from Nova tends to be sweeter than most, making it especially suited for jelly, pie, juice, and wine. This variety was developed in 1959 by the Canada Agriculture Research Station in Nova Scotia and remains a cold-climate favorite thanks to its dependable yields and compact growth habit.

We’ve grown Nova organically for over five years with excellent results. It’s a vigorous, easy-care shrub that matures quickly, supports pollinators, and suckers easily to fill space when desired.

An excellent elderberry for tight garden layouts, sweet harvests, and early preserving.

Key Features

  • Certified Organic Nova elderberries

  • Height: 5–6' (up to 10' when densely planted)

  • Ripens: Early to mid-August

  • Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–7

  • Pollination: Self-fertile; best yields when planted with York

  • Flowering: Blooms in June

  • Soil: Rich, well-draining soil preferred

  • Moisture: Consistent moisture first 2 seasons; drought-tolerant once established

  • Planting Seasons: Fall or early spring preferred

  • Mulch: Deep mulch at planting helps retain moisture and protect roots

Shipping Info

  • Cuttings ship in mid-spring (2025)

  • Seedlings ship in late summer (2025 - very limited)

  • Preorders open seasonally—join the email list for early access

View details