Elderberry (Sambucus spp.)

Size: 8′ tall with 6-8′ spread

Flowering: Throughout Summer

Fruiting: June – September

Birds: summer nesting such as thrasher, catbird, rose-breasted grosbeak, robin, and waxwing.

Elderberries are hardy, native shrubs that have great ornamental and fruiting value. They produce beautiful, large, white flower heads in the spring that are followed by large clusters of blue-black berries in late summer. They are relished by birds and are an important food source for fruit-eating birds like Robins and Cedar Waxwings. At least 120 species of bird eat the fruits of Elderberries! The berries also make great jelly, jam, pie, syrup or wine. Elderberries fruit more heavily when you plant two different varieties close together, such as Adams and York. They do well in sun or part shade and prefer moist, well-drained soil. They are easily pruned to shape.

American ‘Adams’ Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis Adams) 8-10′ tall/wide. Grows into a tall shrub with an upright form. It can sucker and will widen its range where planted. The bright-green foliage is rarely bothered by insects or disease. This variety was selected for its large clusters of dark blue to black fruit. Useful in background and naturalized plantings.

American ‘York’ Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis York) 5-12′ tall/wide. This large plant produces the largest size and quantity of fruit of all the Elderberries. It does well paired with ‘Adams’ Elderberry. Be sure to give it lots of room if planted in rich garden soil. It will stay smaller when placed in wildlife plantings where it may have to compete with grasses and other plants. Excellent hedge plant.

American ‘Cutleaf’ Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis Laciniata) 6-10′ tall/wide. This very ornamental Elderberry has deeply serrated leaves with an interesting “cutleaf” appearance, making it especially attractive. It’s a great substitute for Japanese Maple in northern climates. It produces large clusters of flavorful blue-black fruit.

 

Red Berried Elderberry (Sambucus pubens) 5-12′ tall/wide. This native Elderberry is very important to a wide variety of birds. It produces clusters of red fruit that ripen just about the same time that baby birds need them in June. Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Gray Catbirds, Robins and other fruit-eating birds strip the fruit completely off these plants in no time once they ripen. It develops a vase-shaped form as it ages. Very hardy and can grow in full shade.