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Elderberry

Sambucus Canadensis

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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

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Photos (101)

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — In the late spring to early summer

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — providing nectar for pollinators; but can benefit from occasional pruning to maintain shape and encourage fruit production

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — Incorporating elderberries in a garden invites a host of ecological benefits; by late summer to early fall, image 76

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — Typically growing to a mature height of 5 to 12 feet; shrub with white blooms, image 62

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — about 1/4 inch in diameter; providing nectar for pollinators

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — the elderberry bursts into clusters of creamy white flowers

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — providing nectar for pollinators; but can benefit from occasional pruning to maintain shape and encourage fruit, image 69

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — a versatile North American native

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — They are relatively low-maintenance

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — features clusters of small white-to-cream flowers in spring

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — dark purple to black berries; typically growing to a mature height of 5 to 12 feet, image 71

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — Typically growing to a mature height of 5 to 12 feet

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — is a versatile and hardy deciduous shrub native to a wide array of regions across North America; and

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — but can benefit from occasional pruning to maintain shape and encourage fruit production; elderberry shrubs offer a lush

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — By late summer to early fall

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — Ideal for naturalized settings, it offers culinary value and supports pollinators; in the late spring to early summer

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — commonly 6 to 10 inches in diameter, image 41

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — features clusters of small white-to-cream flowers in spring; each leaflet measuring 2 to 6 inches long, image 56

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — but can benefit from occasional pruning to maintain shape and encourage fruit production; elderberry shrubs, image 75

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — It adapts to a range of soil conditions, preferring moist, well-drained sites, image 32

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — features clusters of small white-to-cream flowers in spring; each leaflet measuring 2 to 6 inches long

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — which mature into dark purple berries coveted by wildlife; about 1/4 inch in diameter

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — elderberry shrubs offer a lush; ideal for naturalized settings, it offers culinary value and supports pollinators

Elderberry (Sambucus Canadensis) — while also providing potential edible yields for the homeowner; which mature into dark purple berries coveted by, image 78

Photographs by 15 contributors

Ayotte, Gilles, 1948-, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
[email protected], CC BY 2.0 · source
Philiptdotcom, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Jason Hollinger, CC BY 2.0 · source
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Robert Flogaus-Faust, CC BY 4.0 · source
Leslie Seaton from Seattle, WA, USA, CC BY 2.0 · source
Johnny Shumway, CC BY 4.0 · source
sonnia hill, CC BY 2.0 · source
Kurt Stüber [1], CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Cmeusburger, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Agataw8, CC BY 4.0 · source
Boris Gaberšček, CC BY 2.5 si · source
J.M.Garg, CC BY 3.0 · source

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