Common elderberry is a beautiful loose-formed tall shrub with high wildlife value. This shrub, with its bountiful white blooms in May and June and attractive purple-black fruit in fall, can act as a specimen plant/focal point in a wet meadow or woodland edge and is also suitable for hedgerows and erosion control. It grows well in full sun to part shade and can tolerate a variety of soils with average to moist wetness, though it is intolerant standing water and drought.
More than 30 species of butterflies and moths (including the beautiful giant silk moths) use Sambucus canadensis as a larval host. Birds, mammals, and even box turtles relish the fruits in fall. Native bees nest in old hollow stems.
This species has high value to humans as well as wildlife. Native Americans used this plant for many medicinal and religious purposes. Its tasty medicinal anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, high antioxidant berries (though somewhat toxic when raw) can be used to make jelly, wine, pies, cough syrup, and extracts. Fragrant flowers can be used in teas, syrups, and cordials. Crushed leaves can be used as insect repellant.
Item for sale is 2-3’ shrub in 10” deep min tree pot. 6-12’ mature height. 1 for $20 or 3 for $50
Species is highly tolerant of pruning, can be cut to the ground every other year to keep in check, if needed.
Sun: Full sun – Part shade
Soil Moisture: Medium dry – Medium wet
Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand
Bloom time: May – July
Bloom color: white
Mature height: 5-12’
Spread: 5-12’
Attracts: Birds, bees, butterflies, moths, beetles
Deer resistant: yes
Suggested use: wet meadow specimen, erosion control, or hedge
Recommended spacing: 3-5’
Images from www.forestryimages.org
Common elderberry is a beautiful loose-formed tall shrub with high wildlife value. This shrub, with its bountiful white blooms in May and June and attractive purple-black fruit in fall, can act as a specimen plant/focal point in a wet meadow or woodland edge and is also suitable for hedgerows and erosion control. It grows well in full sun to part shade and can tolerate a variety of soils with average to moist wetness, though it is intolerant standing water and drought.
More than 30 species of butterflies and moths (including the beautiful giant silk moths) use Sambucus canadensis as a larval host. Birds, mammals, and even box turtles relish the fruits in fall. Native bees nest in old hollow stems.
This species has high value to humans as well as wildlife. Native Americans used this plant for many medicinal and religious purposes. Its tasty medicinal anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, high antioxidant berries (though somewhat toxic when raw) can be used to make jelly, wine, pies, cough syrup, and extracts. Fragrant flowers can be used in teas, syrups, and cordials. Crushed leaves can be used as insect repellant.
Item for sale is 2-3’ shrub in 10” deep min tree pot. 6-12’ mature height. 1 for $20 or 3 for $50
Species is highly tolerant of pruning, can be cut to the ground every other year to keep in check, if needed.
Sun: Full sun – Part shade
Soil Moisture: Medium dry – Medium wet
Soil Type: Clay, Loam, Sand
Bloom time: May – July
Bloom color: white
Mature height: 5-12’
Spread: 5-12’
Attracts: Birds, bees, butterflies, moths, beetles
Deer resistant: yes
Suggested use: wet meadow specimen, erosion control, or hedge
Recommended spacing: 3-5’
Images from www.forestryimages.org
