American Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

American black elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a fast-growing shrub native to eastern North America, producing clusters of white flowers followed by dark purple-black

Above information is sourced from Wikipedia

Sunlight

Full Sun to Part Shade

Watering

Consistent Moisture

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Temperature

Hardy

Fertilizer

Light Feeding

Care Requirements

Light

Full Sun to Part Shade

Thrives in full sun for best flowering and fruiting, but tolerates partial shade.

Water

Consistent Moisture

Prefers moist soil, avoid waterlogging. Water deeply during dry spells.

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Temperature

Hardy

Tolerates a wide range of temperatures; hardy in USDA zones 3-9.

Fertilizer

Light Feeding

Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer; avoid over-application.

Plant Overview

Plant Type

Shrub, Tree

Plant Category

Fruit, Ornamental

Plant Place Type

Garden, Pot

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Height

1.8 - 3.7 m

Spread

1.8 - 3.7 m

Growth Rate

Fast

Dormancy

Deciduous

Leaf Color

Green

Leaf Type

Compound

Flower Size

3-5 mm

Optimal Sunlight Lux

60000

Image Gallery

Flowering & Fruiting Cycles

Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.

Northern hemisphere

Flowering & fruiting calendar

Peak bloom · JunPeak fruit · Aug

FloweringFruiting

Southern hemisphere

Flowering & fruiting calendar

Peak bloom · JulPeak fruit · May

FloweringFruiting

Synonyms

Aralia sololensis Donn.Sm.

Sambucus eberhardtii Danguy

Sambucus orbiculata Greene

Sambucus planteriensis Simon-Louis ex Dippel

Sambucus plantierensis Koehne

Sambucus rehderiana Schwer.

Sambucus repens Raf.

Sambucus simpsonii Rehder

Taxonomy

kingdomPlantae
divisionTracheophyta
classMagnoliopsida
orderDipsacales
familyViburnaceae
genusSambucus
speciesSambucus canadensis

Toxicity

Toxic for humans

Yes

Rating: 3/5

Toxic for pets

Yes

Rating: 3/5

Edible

Yes

The roots, stems, leaves, and unripe fruit contain cyanogenic glycosides which can be toxic if ingested. Ripe fruit is edible when cooked.

Additional Care Tips

Sambucus canadensis prefers consistently moist soil. Water deeply once or twice a week during dry periods, especially when young. Avoid waterlogged conditions, as this can lead to root rot. Mulching helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth appears. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Elderberries fruit on old wood, so heavy pruning every few years can rejuvenate the plant and improve fruit production. Aim to maintain an open, vase-shaped structure.

Propagation is most successful from softwood cuttings taken in late spring or semi-hardwood cuttings in mid-summer. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant in moist potting mix. Alternatively, division of suckers in early spring is also effective.

Repotting is generally not necessary for established outdoor plants. Container-grown elderberries may need repotting every 2-3 years in spring to refresh the soil and provide more space. Choose a pot that is slightly larger than the current one.

FAQs

What are the best growing conditions for American black elderberry?

Sambucus canadensis thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It is adaptable to various soil types but performs best in rich, organic soils.

When is the best time to plant American black elderberry?

The ideal time to plant Sambucus canadensis is in early spring or fall when the plant is dormant. This allows the roots to establish before the stresses of summer heat or winter cold.

How should I prune Sambucus canadensis?

Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. You can remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches. For increased fruit production, prune out older stems to encourage new growth, as berries are produced on second-year wood.

Are the berries of American black elderberry safe to eat raw?

While the berries are edible, they are often cooked before consumption. Raw berries can cause digestive upset in some individuals. Cooking them reduces the presence of potentially toxic compounds like cyanogenic glycosides.

Does Sambucus canadensis attract wildlife?

Yes, American black elderberry is highly attractive to wildlife. Its flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and its berries are a favored food source for many bird species.

Care Requirements

Light

Full Sun to Part Shade

Thrives in full sun for best flowering and fruiting, but tolerates partial shade.

Water

Consistent Moisture

Prefers moist soil, avoid waterlogging. Water deeply during dry spells.

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Temperature

Hardy

Tolerates a wide range of temperatures; hardy in USDA zones 3-9.

Fertilizer

Light Feeding

Fertilize in early spring with a balanced fertilizer; avoid over-application.

Additional Care Tips

FAQs

What are the best growing conditions for American black elderberry?

Sambucus canadensis thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. It is adaptable to various soil types but performs best in rich, organic soils.

When is the best time to plant American black elderberry?

The ideal time to plant Sambucus canadensis is in early spring or fall when the plant is dormant. This allows the roots to establish before the stresses of summer heat or winter cold.

How should I prune Sambucus canadensis?

Are the berries of American black elderberry safe to eat raw?

Does Sambucus canadensis attract wildlife?

Yes, American black elderberry is highly attractive to wildlife. Its flowers attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies, and its berries are a favored food source for many bird species.

American Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

Care Requirements

Plant Overview

Image Gallery

Flowering & Fruiting Cycles

Additional Care Tips

Water

Pruning

Propagation

Repotting

FAQs

What are the best growing conditions for American black elderberry?

When is the best time to plant American black elderberry?

How should I prune Sambucus canadensis?

Are the berries of American black elderberry safe to eat raw?

Does Sambucus canadensis attract wildlife?

Loading plant details

American Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

Care Requirements

Plant Overview

Image Gallery

Flowering & Fruiting Cycles

Additional Care Tips

Water

Pruning

Propagation

Repotting

FAQs

What are the best growing conditions for American black elderberry?

When is the best time to plant American black elderberry?

How should I prune Sambucus canadensis?

Are the berries of American black elderberry safe to eat raw?

Does Sambucus canadensis attract wildlife?