I don't know much about elderberries even tho they are very common as wild plants here.

I have often wondered why hazelnuts are not more commonly grown. Here is Utah state extension talking about them: link. There is a good deal of advice on hazelnuts in pdf files that can be found in a search of usu.edu

I have known only a couple of people with hazelnuts in their yards. One is a close neighbor and yes, there are elderberry bushes bordering his property as well.

Steve

We have elderberries here. I'm not sure on the variety since it was planted by the previous owner, but with the coldest winter in 80 years this past year, it doesn't seem to be bouncing back. I haven't check it in about a week though. I'm hoping it just late leafing out. It's more tree shaped than shrub, but likely was hard pruned by previous owner as she kept everything super manicured. They do make great preserves though and I make a delicious elderberry pear sauce.

Have you thought of goji berries or Haskap (honeyberries). Both are fine for cooler zones and don't grow insanely tall. I'm not sure how long it takes to get to that height you want though. We just bought ours in the last two years.

I'd avoid a monoculture. If a disease or insect went after one plant type, it might wipe them out. I'd mix it up. If you're set on that height, so be it, but why not try a few other things? Elderberry and Hazelnut, currant, goji, honeyberry, raspberry, serviceberry (Regent saskatoon is a smaller serviceberry) and cornus varieties like racemosa are what's coming to mind right now.

I meant to update you about my elderberry. It is done, didn't come back. I'm not sure how old it is but we've lived here almost 3 years. There is a new shoot that came out of the ground though so it didn't die off completely just died back. We had extreme cold this year though. So be aware of that.

Thank you for all your advice. Good points to consider, for sure. We do have a big variety of other fruiting and ornamental trees and shrubs within our yard. I was planning to use all the same bushes for the privacy screen because I like the uniform look of a long row of the same plants, especially when in bloom, but the issue with disease wiping out the whole row is one to think about. Thanks for your help!

Hello:) I'm in Wyoming too. You MUST try Saskatoons! They're also called Service Berries. They look and taste very similar to blueberries with a milder flavor. They are incredible and very cold tolerant. I bought mine at a small nursery in Casper called Johnny Appleseed and you can order them from several online catalogues. They vary in size depending on the exact variety. There are some that stay about lilac bush sized and others that can be 25ft. Here is a website that tells about them... http://www.cals.uidaho.edu/edcomm/pdf/BUL/BUL0866.pdf. They also posted about them on a facebook group called Wyoming Garden Chat (https://www.facebook.com/groups/601542519982049/) If you're uncertain, just get one or two shrubs to try and you'll fall in love! The only bad side is that the birds love them too! Good luck!

Oh and I joined the Wy garden chat on Facebook. Thanks for the suggestion!

You may be right about their growth. I'm not sure how fast they grow, but have been impressed how many berries my young shrubs have. I have been buying up the Regent variety (and loving them!). I was just at Johnny Appleseed in Casper and they have two varieties right now. They have the Regent that grows to about the 6ft like you said and they have a second variety in stock that grows to about ten feet. I can't for the life of me remember what it was (I feel like it started with an "O" and they call them "service berries" there). I'm considering going back at pay day to get some of the big ones to use for privacy as well. I googled their number in case you want to give them a call and find out what the variety is: Johnny Appleseed 2200 Hickory St, Casper, WY 82604
(307) 235-1725

I'm glad you're on the facebook forum too! Fun!

Good luck!

My thoughts in order were Saskatoon, currant, and depending on soil hazelnut. I've visited the Arbor Day operation and their hazelnuts are impressive. If you can get the water, drainage and texture think about that.

Carmine Jewel Cherry

*
Prunus cerasus x P. fruticosa

* Dark purple skin and flesh, small pits

* Good for fresh eating and processing, best pie cherry

* Fruit weighs about 4 gram, 15-17 Brix

* Early harvest, ripening first in the season, late July-early August in the north

* 6.5-12' height, 7+' width

* Low suckering, but can sucker up to 20' away.

* Self-pollinating

* Usually produces a few berries in 3 years, rapidly increasing to 25+ lbs 5-6 at years of age

* Zones 2-8