Growing Elderberries: Sambucus
Overview
Members of the Adoxaceae (elderberry) family, Sambucus species are native to the northern hemisphere. Sambucus nigra is the European Black Elderberry found in Europe and Western Asia. The subspecies Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (Black or Common Elderberry) is found throughout most of Canada and the United States. Sambucus caerulea, Blue or Mexican Elderberry, is found in Western North America. Canadensis and caerulea overlap ranges in the west. Sambucus racemosa, Red Elderberry, is found in limited pockets in the Western United States and Canada.
Members of the Adoxaceae (elderberry) family, Sambucus species are native to the northern hemisphere. Sambucus nigra is the European Black Elderberry found in Europe and Western Asia. The subspecies Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (Black or Common Elderberry) is found throughout most of Canada and the United States. Sambucus caerulea, Blue or Mexican Elderberry, is found in Western North America. Canadensis and caerulea overlap ranges in the west. Sambucus racemosa, Red Elderberry, is found in limited pockets in the Western United States and Canada.
Description
Form: A multi-stemmed, suckering, large shrub or small tree.
Lifespan: Possibly 60 years.
Leaf retention: Drought and cold deciduous.
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid.
Mature Size: 6-30' high and 6-20' wide.
Flowers: Fragrant, yellow to white, in clusters. Edible when cooked, and fried like fritters, or used to make tea or wine.
Bloom: Two months or more starting in late winter or spring, then again in late summer and fall.
Self-fruitful: No. A second plant must be present within 60'.
Years before fruiting: 2-3.
Fruit: Blue-black or purple berries, one-eighth to one-quarter inch in diameter depending on cultivar and water, edible when ripe and cooked. No berries are produced without sufficient water and a companion plant.
Months for fruit to ripen: 5-15 days. Ripe when fully dark. A whitish coating develops on some cultivars and species.
Storage after harvest: Place in sealed container without washing and store in refrigerator up to 5 days, or wash and freeze, or wash and prepare for wine or to cook.
Leaves: Dark green, lance-shaped, sawtooth edged, leaflets.
Stems: No thorns.
Roots: Deep taproot, extensive root mass, produces new suckers (canes) yearly which aid in fruit production.
Cultivars of Note:
Toxic / Danger: All parts poisonous except ripe, blue to purple berries and cooked flowers. Green berries are poisonous. Red berries of Red Elderberry and other species are poisonous if eaten raw but are edible when cooked.
Origin: North America.
Form: A multi-stemmed, suckering, large shrub or small tree.
Lifespan: Possibly 60 years.
Leaf retention: Drought and cold deciduous.
Growth rate: Moderate to rapid.
Mature Size: 6-30' high and 6-20' wide.
Flowers: Fragrant, yellow to white, in clusters. Edible when cooked, and fried like fritters, or used to make tea or wine.
Bloom: Two months or more starting in late winter or spring, then again in late summer and fall.
Self-fruitful: No. A second plant must be present within 60'.
Years before fruiting: 2-3.
Fruit: Blue-black or purple berries, one-eighth to one-quarter inch in diameter depending on cultivar and water, edible when ripe and cooked. No berries are produced without sufficient water and a companion plant.
Months for fruit to ripen: 5-15 days. Ripe when fully dark. A whitish coating develops on some cultivars and species.
Storage after harvest: Place in sealed container without washing and store in refrigerator up to 5 days, or wash and freeze, or wash and prepare for wine or to cook.
Leaves: Dark green, lance-shaped, sawtooth edged, leaflets.
Stems: No thorns.
Roots: Deep taproot, extensive root mass, produces new suckers (canes) yearly which aid in fruit production.
Cultivars of Note:
'Adams' S. nigra ssp. canadensis, pairs well with 'Johns' for cross
pollination.
'Blue' S. caerulea.
Wildlife: Attracts birds and pollinating insects. A nesting site for hummingbirds.
Toxic / Danger: All parts poisonous except ripe, blue to purple berries and cooked flowers. Green berries are poisonous. Red berries of Red Elderberry and other species are poisonous if eaten raw but are edible when cooked.
Origin: North America.
Cultivation and Uses
USDA hardiness zones: 5-9.
Chill hours: Very low, possibly 100-300.
Heat tolerant: Yes.
Sun: Full sun or part shade.
Drought tolerant: Yes, but loses leaves and fails to fruit.
Water once established: Monthly. Deep water once or twice a week when flowering and fruiting. Signs of insufficient water are dropped fruit and dropped leaves.
Soil: Tolerant, pH 6.1-7.8 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). Survives in soil that is well-drained, with low organic content, but enriched, slightly acidic soil is best for fruit production.
Prune: In late winter, during dormancy, remove dead, weak and broken canes, as well as all canes older than 3 years. Flowers and fruit develop on tips of new growth, especially on laterals of previous year's canes. After three years, canes produce few flowers.
Litter: Low.
Propagation: Usually by cuttings, also seed (slow).
Uses: Ornamental, edible berries for jams, jellies, syrup and wine. Blue and purple berries can be eaten raw.
USDA hardiness zones: 5-9.
Chill hours: Very low, possibly 100-300.
Heat tolerant: Yes.
Sun: Full sun or part shade.
Drought tolerant: Yes, but loses leaves and fails to fruit.
Water once established: Monthly. Deep water once or twice a week when flowering and fruiting. Signs of insufficient water are dropped fruit and dropped leaves.
Soil: Tolerant, pH 6.1-7.8 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). Survives in soil that is well-drained, with low organic content, but enriched, slightly acidic soil is best for fruit production.
Prune: In late winter, during dormancy, remove dead, weak and broken canes, as well as all canes older than 3 years. Flowers and fruit develop on tips of new growth, especially on laterals of previous year's canes. After three years, canes produce few flowers.
Litter: Low.
Propagation: Usually by cuttings, also seed (slow).
Uses: Ornamental, edible berries for jams, jellies, syrup and wine. Blue and purple berries can be eaten raw.
Comments
Formerly classified as a member of the Honeysuckle family. Grows wild in southwestern mountain regions. Used as a spring ornamental shrub in native regions.
Do you have additional information or a different experience for this plant that you would like to share?
Email info@gardenoracle.com. All contributions are welcome and appreciated.
Formerly classified as a member of the Honeysuckle family. Grows wild in southwestern mountain regions. Used as a spring ornamental shrub in native regions.
Do you have additional information or a different experience for this plant that you would like to share?
Email info@gardenoracle.com. All contributions are welcome and appreciated.
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