That’s the only way the wild thickets in Oregon reproduced, and they were all the same. Can’t speak for named varieties, though. You might be better off rooting cuttings; they are one of the easier ones for that. Remember though, that those ‘named varieties’ are likely patented, so probably illegal to propagate. ;-)
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/grow-elderberries-cuttings-46434.html
http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/95-005.htm
Only elderberry I grew from seed was a couple of small clusters of 3-6 of them. They sprouted from a pile of seeds I dumped for the chickens after making a batch of wine.
Hardy little buggers, but I never got any berries because we moved about the time they were getting big enough to start flowering. We do plan on getting some for here.
That wine is now 20-25 years old, and we had a small glass with dinner tonight, as well as using a bit to cook tonight’s venison shoulder chops.
Thank you very much for the info. Yes, I know about PVPA and patented varieties of seed. I am in the planting seed business.
I suspect the ones I saw listed on the web were older non-PVPA or heirloom varieties.
I did find that the state of MO has a nursery that ships bare root 1 year old stock for their residents. It is not clear from the website if they will sell to out of state, they do ship out of state.