Sambucus nigra L. ssp. canadensis
Growing Information
• Plant Type: Shrub
• Sunlight: Sun to part shade
• Soils: Wet to dry
• Bloom Time: White flowers in May, June, July
• Size: 5-8 feet in height; 3-8 foot spread
Plant this native as a hedge or alone. Berries and flowers are edible, but other parts of the plant contain toxic calcium oxalate crystals and are poisonous. Individual plants are short-lived, but root masses produce new shoots. Fast grower. Notice the white flowers on wild elderberry along wetland edges in late spring—it loves the Cape’s acidic soils.
Garden Companions
Shadbush (Amelanchier canadensis), American Hazelnut (Corylus americana)
Nature Benefits
• Fruit attracts birds who then spread seeds.
• Berries relished by mammals.
• Attracts pollinators.
Native Habitat
Occurs in alluvial forests, bogs, ditches, drier old fields.