Description
‘Black Diamond Elderberry’ TM
‘WCE’ Childs Elderberry — US Patent PP36975 P3
Sambucus Canadensis
The Black Diamond ‘WCE’ elderberry is a cold-hardy, high-performing Sambucus Canadensis selection noted for its uniform ripening, rich flavor, and disease resistance. Black Diamond Elderberry is the end product of a 28-year breeding program. Elderberry clusters have predominantly black ripe fruit but mixed in with the ripe berries are green berries, which are mildly toxic. During harvest, it takes considerable time to remove these green berries prior to depositing the elderberry clusters in the harvest bucket. Some leave them in and this significantly reduces flavor and quality. The Childs Farm breeding program was successful in greatly reducing the presence of green berry and an added benefit is an improve flavor, reduced plant height and superior cold hardiness. Variety poduces large clusters of deep black berries that ripens one week earlier than ‘Johns’ and ‘Adams’. The reduced height of 5 to 6 feet, 2-3 ft. wide also improves ease of harvest, making them much easier to pick than other cultivars which grow 8-10ft tall.
Clusters are 99% green berry free, with firm, sweet fruit and aromas of blackberry and mulberry. The juice is a vivid hot pink to bright purple, perfect for fresh or processed use. Fruits store up to 21 days at 33–40°F (0.5–4.4°C)—almost twice as long as standard cultivars.
Black Diamond is cold tolerant to –26°F (–31°C), requires about 700 chilling hours, and shows good resistance to phytophthora, stem blight, stem blotch, and resistance to mites and Japanese beetles. A free-flowering, reliable producer ideal for growers seeking premium berry quality and durability. Grows well in all soils, including clay and rocky soils!
A standout feature of the Black Diamond Elderberry is its absence of the mildly toxic, flavor tainting green berries typically found among ripe black elderberries. With this variety, there’s no need to sort out unripe fruit during harvest—ensuring a consistently pure, high-quality product. This unique characteristic makes Black Diamond especially valuable for both commercial and home growers, offering improved efficiency, better fruit uniformity, and exceptional quality for fresh use or processing.
USDA Zones 3-7
No Propagation allowed, Strictly Enforced
Royalty fee added
Care Info
- Plant Type:A smooth stemmed multi-branched shrub growing up to 6 feet tall and wide. Height and width can be controlled with pruning.
- pH Requirements:4.5 - 6.8
- Soil Type:Any soil
- Light Requirements:Full to filtered sun
- Plant Rows Spacing:6 feet
- Plant Aisle Spacing:10 - 12 feet
- Mulching:Only in sandy soils
- USDA Zones:3 - 7
- Scientific Name:Sambuscus Canadensis
