Bob Gordon American Elderberry Cuttings.

The Bob Gordon American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis 'Bob Gordon') is a highly regarded cultivar of the native American elderberry, developed by the University of Missouri for its superior fruit quality and ease of harvest. Named after elderberry enthusiast Bob Gordon, this deciduous shrub grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, with a moderately spreading, upright habit that forms a dense, rounded shape. Its foliage features lush, dark green, pinnate leaves with 5 to 11 serrated leaflets, providing an appealing contrast to its large, flat-topped clusters (corymbs) of creamy-white flowers that bloom in mid-summer, typically June to July. These fragrant blooms attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, giving way by late summer (August to September) to heavy, drooping clusters of large, dark purple-black berries (75-80 mg each). Noted for their sweet flavor and high juice content, Bob Gordon berries are ideal for wines, jams, jellies, and syrups, though they must be cooked to neutralize mild toxins present when raw. The cultivar’s downward-hanging fruit clusters make hand- or mechanical-harvesting easier, and its high yields—often exceeding other varieties—make it a favorite among growers in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-9.