Sambucus cerulea

Common Names

Blue Elderberry, Blueberry Elder, Blue Elder, Arizona Elderberry, New Mexican Elderberry, Velvet-Leaf Elder, Hairy Blue Elderberry

Summary

Blue Elderberry is a native Western North American broadleaf deciduous shrub or small tree, often multi-stemmed from the base. It features opposite, pinnately compound leaves with 5–9 leaflets, white to creamy flowers in flat-topped umbels, and bluish-black berries with a pale bloom that are edible when cooked and commonly used in jams, jellies, syrups, and wine.

It tolerates sun to partial shade in moist, well-drained soils and is hardy to USDA zones 4–10. Propagation is by semi-hardwood cuttings treated with rooting hormone or by seeds requiring four months of cold stratification. In landscapes it serves as an ornamental and edible-fruit plant, supports wildlife by providing berries for birds and pollinators, and benefits from late-winter pruning to remove dead or weak canes.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

6-13 feet

Spread

15 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 4-10

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun, ranges from Full Sun to Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Loam or sandy loam, moist, well-drained soil

Soil Drainage

Moist, well-drained soil

Soil pH

6.1-7.8 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline)

Bloom Color

White to cream

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green

Fall Foliage Color

Gold, Yellow

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast growth; reaches full size in about 3–4 years.

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Rootstocks, Root suckers

Attracts Wildlife

Bees: Yes, Hummingbirds: Yes, Butterflies: Yes, Other pollinators: Yes, Birds: Yes