Deep orange-red berries have a sweet flavor with slight acidity and ripen over an extended period. 'Phoenix Tears' is cold and drought tolerant and benefits from support as its fruit load increases. - Elderberries do well in our area. Elderberries produce more fruit when 2 or more varieties are used to cross-pollinate each other. They prefer fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Elderberries grow tall, and can be pruned to the ground to regrow or left as a bush. They can produce fruit either way.