Adams

Adams is a classic American elderberry cultivar selected in New York in the early twentieth century and long grown as a reliable, vigorous producer. Actually a pair of similar selections, Adams No. 1 and Adams No. 2, it forms a large, sturdy shrub that yields heavy clusters of small dark-purple berries ripening in late summer. The berries are borne on strong stems that support the weight of the large fruit cymes well. Adams is prized for its productivity, hardiness, and good fruit size, making it a longtime standard for jams, jellies, pies, wine, and syrup. It is a dependable choice for cold-climate gardens and benefits from cross-pollination with another elderberry variety to maximize fruit set.