Scotia

Scotia is a Canadian elderberry cultivar from the Nova Scotia breeding program, prized for producing some of the sweetest fruit among common named varieties. It is a compact, hardy shrub that yields good crops of dark berries with a notably higher sugar content than most American types, making the fruit more palatable. Scotia ripens its clusters reliably in cold climates and is valued by home growers who want elderberries with better raw flavor for fresh use, syrup, and wine. Because it is a smaller plant, Scotia fits well in modest gardens and mixed plantings. Its combination of sweetness, hardiness, and compact size makes it a favorite northern selection, best grown with a second variety for good pollination.