Sambucus canadensis
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Tried and True Recommended by 2 Professionals
Species Native to Missouri
Common Name: American elder
Type: Deciduous shrub
Family: Adoxaceae
Zone: 3 to 9
Native Range: Eastern North America
Garden Location: Martha Love Symington Missouri Native Shade Garden
Height: 5 to 12 feet
Spread: 5 to 12 feet
Bloom Time: June to July
Bloom Color: White
Bloom Description: White
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium to wet
Maintenance: High
Flowers: Showy Flowers, Fragrant Flowers
Fruit: Showy Fruit, Edible Fruit
Wildlife: Attracts Birds, Attracts Butterflies
Tolerates: Clay Soil, Wet Soil
Uses: Erosion Control, Rain Garden

Culture

Grow in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, humusy soils. Spreads by root suckers to form colonies. Prune out dead or weakened stems in early spring.

Noteworthy Characteristics

American elderberry is a stoloniferous, Missouri native, deciduous shrub which typically grows 5-12' tall and occurs on streambanks, moist woodlands, thickets, fence rows and roadsides throughout the State. Large, terminal, flat-topped clusters of small, fragrant, white flowers appear in spring and are followed by clusters of dark purple to black, berry-like fruits (drupes) in late summer to fall. Fruit may be used to make preserves, jellies, pies and wine. Fruit is also attractive to wildlife. Pinnately compound bright green leaves (5-11 leaflets each).

Problems

Some susceptibility to canker, powdery mildew, leaf spot, borers, spider mites and aphids.

Garden Uses

Perhaps best when massed in naturalized areas where suckering spread is acceptable. Also effective in shrub borders, roadside plantings, wet or low areas, as a screen or as part of a native plant garden.

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