Chippewa Blueberry vs Bob Gordon Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Chippewa Blueberry vs Bob Gordon Elderberry

Vaccinium x Chippewa

Sambucus canadensis Bob Gordon

Chippewa Blueberry
Bob Gordon Elderberry

Chippewa Blueberry is the perfect shrub for attracting birds and butterflies. Incredibly cold-hardy, the Chippewa Blueberry is an upright shrub making it easy for harvesting. Known for producing high yields of large blue-colored berries, this blueberry is a favourite for fresh eating, baking, and preserves. As with all blueberries, the Chippewa needs soil with a low pH and high acidity.

Bob Gordon Elderberry is a Black Elderberry cultivar that produces berries that are larger and sweeter than other varieties, making it one of the top cultivars. It produces large clusters of white flowers that turn into large clusters of dark purple to black berries. The berries are well-suited for baked goods, jams, jellies, and syrups. It was selected from the wild in Missouri.

The large berry clusters that the Bob Gordon Elderberry produces will often end up hanging downward. This makes it more difficult for birds to feed on the berries. If birds are a concern, this might be the right berry for you.

Black Elderberries are considered to be partially self-pollinating. So while they will still produce some berries without cross-pollination, planting with another variety will increase yields. Consider planting with Black Elderberry or Ranch Elderberry.

Warning: the seeds, stems, leaves, roots, and uncooked berries are toxic to humans when eaten in quantity. Berries should be cooked to make them safe for human consumption.

Chippewa Blueberry Quick Facts

Bob Gordon Elderberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $6.99 - SAVE UP TO 30%
Lowest Price: $18.49 - SAVE UP TO 12%
Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.1 m (7 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Fall colour: red and orange
Flowers: white, pink tinged
Flowers: fragrant, white
Berries: edible blue
Berries: black
Firmness: firm
Flavor: sweet, juicy
Harvest: July
Harvest: late summer to early fall
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: chippewa half high blueberry, half high blueberry
Other Names: bob gordon american elderberry, bob gordon black elderberry