Native to North America, this large flowering and fruitful shrubattracts bees, butterflies, and many birds.
In June tiny, lemon-scented, white flowers appear and then develop into black fruits in late summer.
The fruits have been used in jams, jellies, pie fillings and elderberry wine.
Credit:Laurie Black
Theflowers are also edible.
Find out how to grow elderberry plants in your own yard with this guide to all the basics.
This compound deters browsing by deer and other animals.
Credit:Laurie Black
Where to Plant Elderberry
Plant American elderberry in Zones 3-9 in consistently moist, fertile soils.
They will tolerate occasional periods of drought or wet soils and grow in both acidic and alkaline soils.
Plant elderberry in an area you are able to easily access because these shrubs will requireregular pruning.
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It is often used as a sprawling hedge fornaturalistic gardens.
When and How to Plant Elderberry
Plant elderberry in spring or fall.
Place it in the ground at the same depth as it was in its nursery container.
Credit:Denny Schrock
They are shallow-rooted and will need to be well-watered the first growing season.
Arching and spreading stems emerge from the roots.Have your soil testedbefore planting.
Care Tips
Light
Choose a spot in full to part sun.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
Place this plant in sunny spaces for the best flowering.
Soil and Water
Even moisture inwell-drained soilis necessary.
Water when there is less than one inch of water each week.
Credit: Stephen Cridland
Mulch around plants and over the root zone to suppress weeds and control spread and keep soil moist.
Use two to three inches of compost or woodchips to retain moisture and enrich the soil.
Fertilizer
It is not necessary to fertilize elderberry plants after the first year.
Credit:Dean Schoeppner
A topdressing of compost in the spring will provide all the nutrients needed.
Pruning
Prune your elderberry plant regularly to maintain a tidy growth habit.
There are three main types of pruning this shrub may need.
The first is pruning to remove dead, old, or weak stems any time of the year.
The second is to shorten stems by one-third.
The third is to cut all stems to the ground to rejuvenate the shrub.
Elderberry Pests and Problems
Elderberry has no serious insect or disease problems.
High winds and heavy snow/ice may damage stems.
Spreading roots suckers create maintenance unless the plants are used the naturalize an area.
you’re able to also take a cutting of the new growth in spring.
They are marketed under names like Lemony Lace, Sutherland Gold, and Morden Golden Glow.
They mature between 5-8 feet tall, and are hardy in Zones 4-8.
Fruit set is improved when more than one cultivar is used, such as York.'
It grows 7-10 feet tall.
This plant has been found to be weedy andpotentially invasiveand should not be planted in gardens.
The berries are black.
This cultivar has deeply cut, dark purple foliage; lemon-scented flowers; and dark, blackish-red berries.
These species all have similar growing conditions to elderberry but will tolerate more shade.
Clip the clusters and gently remove the berries.
They spoil quickly so immediately refrigerate, freeze, or dry them.
Cooking or drying the berries will make them edible and also improves the flavor.
Cut the flowers just before they reach the peak of maturity, usually in late May or early June.
