| PSC 2620: Woody Trees and Shrub | Course Home | Week 3 |
Sambucus canadensis - American Elderberry
Plant Viewer
 |
 |
| Elderberry forms a medium to large shrub with an inconsistent form. | Large and showy cymes of white flowers appear in early summer. |
Plant Description
Sambucus canadensis is a medium to large deciduous shrub (5-12 feet tall and wide); individual cultivars are much more consistent in their size. It prefers moist soil and performs best in the Intermountain region when it is in partial to full shade. The stems are a yellowish-gray and have a significant number of lenticels.
Flowers appear in large, flat cymes that can be up to 6-10 inch and are white in color. They are quite showy when in bloom during the early Summer. The flowers give way to large clusters of drupe fruit in the early fall. The fruit is a purple-black color, 1/4 inch in diameter and edible. If it is not harvested it will typically be picked clean by birds in pretty short order.
Landscape Use
Use as a flowering shrub or in a naturalized garden. They purple leaved varieties can be used as a accent plant.
Points of Interest
Elderberry will sucker profusely, especially when it is in moist conditions. They suffer from powdery mildew and leaf spot.
Notable Cultivars
Aurea: A large yellow-leafed variety with bright red fruit. 8-10 feet high and wide.
S. nigra 'Eva' or Black Lace: A large (10 feet high and wide) purple-leafed variety with lace-like foliage and large corymbs of pink-tinged white blossoms.
