Elderberry 'American'
Elderberry 'American'

Elderberry 'American'

Quebec Multiplants

$29.99
Title

A quintessential North American beauty, the American Elderberry is a sprawling, lush shrub that brings a romantic, wild-meadow feel to any landscape. In early summer, it is crowned with massive, lacy umbrellas of tiny, fragrant white flowers that seem to float above its vibrant green, fern-like foliage. As the seasons turn, these delicate blooms give way to heavy, drooping clusters of glossy, dark purple-black berries that glisten like jewels in the late summer sun.
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Size Guide

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Plant Details

Mature Size:

5–12 ft H x W

Zone:

3-9

Watering:

Medium to High

Foliage Type:

Deciduous

Growth Rate:

Fast

Light:

Full Sun/Part Sun

Plant Profile

Common Names:

American Elderberry, Common Elderberry, American Black Elderberry

Scientific Name:

Sambucus canadensis

Type:

Edible Native Shrub

Growth Details:

  • Mature Size: 5–12 feet tall and wide.
  • Growth Habit: Vigorous, multi-stemmed, and suckering.
  • Form: Broad, rounded, and often arching.
  • Growth Rate: Fast.
  • Longevity: Individual canes are short-lived, but the root crown can live up to 60 years with regular renewal.

Environmental Needs:

  • Exposure: Full sun to part shade.
  • Soil Preferences: Thrives in rich, moist, well-drained loamy soils.
  • Soil Tolerance: Highly adaptable; tolerates heavy clay, wet soils, and urban pollution.
  • Watering: Requires consistent moisture (about 1 inch per week); extremely sensitive to drought.

Special Features:

Native to North America; juglone (black walnut) tolerant; attracts a wide variety of birds and butterflies; fast-growing for quick screening.
Care Guide

Ornamental & Landscape Value

Seasonal Interest:

  • Bloom Information: Showy, fragrant white clusters (cymes) in early to mid-summer (June/July).
  • Fall Colour: Foliage turns a soft, attractive yellow to gold.
  • Bark: Yellowish-gray with prominent lenticels on older stems.
  • Fruit: Heavy clusters of edible (when cooked) purple-black drupes in late summer.

Garden Value:

Ideal for rain gardens, edible landscaping, and naturalizing large areas. Its spreading, suckering habit makes it perfect for stabilizing riverbanks and preventing soil erosion.

Wildlife & Human Value:

  • Wildlife Value: Provides critical nesting habitat and a high-energy food source for over 90 species of birds; flowers are a magnet for pollinators.
  • Human Value: Berries are highly prized for gourmet syrups, jams, jellies, and wine (must be cooked); fragrant flowers are edible and used for cordials and fritters.

Planting & Care Guide

Planting Considerations:

  • Best Time To Plant: Spring or early fall.
  • Spacing: 6–10 feet apart to allow for its natural spread.
  • Location Tips: Select a moist site with good drainage; planting at least two different varieties within 60 feet increases fruit yield through cross-pollination.

Care:

  • Light Requirements: Thrives in full sun to partial shade; at least 6 hours of sun ensures the best flower and fruit production.
  • Moisture Requirements: Prefers medium to wet soil; do not let the shallow root system dry out during establishment.
  • Maintenance: High maintenance. Requires regular pruning of suckers to control its spread and thinning of older canes to encourage fruit production.
  • Fertilization: Apply a layer of compost or a light balanced fertilizer in early spring.

Tolerances:

Clay soil, wet soil, erosion, and atmospheric pollution.

Tips For Success:

Prune the entire bush to the ground every few years in late winter to keep the growth manageable and rejuvenate the plant. Mulch heavily with organic matter to retain the consistent moisture its shallow roots require.
Fruit Profile