Skip to content
Log inStart trial

Elderberry

Sambucus Canadensis

Design with this plant

Overview

Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), a versatile North American native, features clusters of small white-to-cream flowers in spring, which mature into dark purple berries coveted by wildlife. This deciduous shrub grows to 5-12 feet high and wide, thriving in full sun to partial shade. It adapts to a range of soil conditions, preferring moist, well-drained sites. Ideal for naturalized settings, it offers culinary value and supports pollinators. Zones 3-9.

Sun Full, HalfWater High, MediumZones 3–9Type ShrubClimate Alpine, Temperate
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — but can benefit from occasional pruning to maintain shape and encourage fruit production

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
High, Medium
USDA zones
3–9

Shape & size

Mature width
5–6 Ft.

Classification

Type
Shrub
Family
Caprifoliaceae
Climate
Alpine, Temperate

See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (101)

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — providing nectar for pollinators
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — By late summer to early fall; a versatile North American native
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — each leaflet measuring 2 to 6 inches long; they are relatively low-maintenance, image 65
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — dark purple to black berries
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — shrub with white blooms; dark purple to black berries, image 80
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — which mature into dark purple berries coveted by wildlife
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — the elderberry bursts into clusters of creamy white flowers; is a versatile and hardy deciduous shrub native to a wide array
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — shrub with white blooms
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — This deciduous shrub grows to 5-12 feet high and wide, thriving in full sun to partial shade; white flowers in, image 58
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — dark purple to black berries; typically growing to a mature height of 5 to 12 feet
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — and wines.<br><br>Elderberry plants prefer a location with full sun to partial shade and moist; incorporating, image 73
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — attracting beneficial insects and wildlife
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — the elderberry bursts into clusters of creamy white flowers; is a versatile and hardy deciduous shrub native to, image 67
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — Ideal for naturalized settings, it offers culinary value and supports pollinators; in the late spring to early, image 60
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — It adapts to a range of soil conditions, preferring moist, well-drained sites
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — white flowers in the garden
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — each leaflet measuring 2 to 6 inches long; they are relatively low-maintenance
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — Ideal for naturalized settings, it offers culinary value and supports pollinators
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — each leaflet measuring 2 to 6 inches long
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — attracting beneficial insects and wildlife, image 77
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — while also providing potential edible yields for the homeowner; which mature into dark purple berries coveted by wildlife
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — is a versatile and hardy deciduous shrub native to a wide array of regions across North America
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — Typically growing to a mature height of 5 to 12 feet; shrub with white blooms
Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — and wines.<br><br>Elderberry plants prefer a location with full sun to partial shade and moist
Photographs by 11 contributors

Related plants

Alleghany Leatherleaf Viburnum (Viburnum X 'Alleghany') — With a mature height of 8-10 feet and a spread of 6-8 feet

Shrub

Alleghany Leatherleaf Viburnum

Viburnum X 'Alleghany'

FullUSDA 5–8
All That Glows® Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum dentatum var. deamii) — All That Glows® Arrowwood Viburnum, or Viburnum dentatum var

Shrub

All That Glows® Arrowwood Viburnum

Viburnum dentatum var. deamii

FullUSDA 2–8
American Cranberrybush (Viburnum Opulus Var. Americanum) — These berries can also be utilized in preserves and jellies; shrub for full or half or shade

Shrub

American Cranberrybush

Viburnum Opulus Var. Americanum

FullUSDA 2–7
Arrowwood Viburnum (Viburnum Dentatum) — scientifically known as Viburnum dentatum; shrub for full or half

Shrub

Arrowwood Viburnum

Viburnum Dentatum

FullUSDA 2–8
Beauty Bush (Kolkwitzia Amabilis) — or as a backdrop for perennial flower beds, image 104

Shrub

Beauty Bush

Kolkwitzia Amabilis

FullUSDA 6–9
Black Beauty Elder (Sambucus Nigra 'Black Beauty') — showcases striking deep-purple foliage and fragrant pink blossoms that emerge in midsummer

Shrub

Black Beauty Elder

Sambucus Nigra 'Black Beauty'

FullUSDA 5–8