Sambucus canadensis

Common Names

Elderberry, American Elderberry, Common Elderberry, American Black Elderberry, American Elder, Canada Elderberry

Summary

American elderberry is a native, deciduous, multi-stemmed shrub reaching 5–12 ft tall and wide, with arching branches that form a broad suckering thicket, opposite pinnately compound leaves with 5–11 leaflets, large flat-topped clusters of fragrant white flowers in early to midsummer, and later drooping clusters of dark purple to black drupes.

Preferring full sun to partial shade, it grows in moist, well-drained soils and tolerates wet sites; it spreads by root suckers to form colonies, making it well suited for naturalized areas, hedges, or rain gardens. Flowers and fruit are used for jams, jellies, pies, and elderberry wine, and the plant provides wildlife value by attracting pollinators and birds; care involves pruning to remove suckers and maintain a neat form, with hard pruning possible to encourage new fruiting wood. Hardiness: USDA zones 3–9.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

5-12 feet

Spread

6-10 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 3-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun to partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil; tolerates both acid and alkaline soils.

Soil Drainage

Moist and well-drained soils

Soil pH

No single ideal pH; tolerates a wide pH range from acidic to alkaline.

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Yellow, Yellow-green, Burnished yellow, Red

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast to vigorous growth; generally fast-growing and vigorous, with spread by root suckers to form colonies.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

Propagation Methods

Cuttings, Seeds

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators, and birds