American Elder (Sambucus Canadensis)

Alternative Names

Latin (scientific) name: Sambucus canadensis

Common English name: American elder

French name: Sureau blanc

Other Information

Tree Type: Deciduous; Edible Fruit/Nut Tree

Habitat: Prefers a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight (full sun - partial shade). Grows in acidic, loamy, moist, rich, sandy, silty loam, well-drained, wet and clay soils.

Hardiness Zones: 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b

Description

The American Elder is a fast-growing shrub with large clusters of yellow-white, star-shaped flowers and dark purple elderberries.

This shrub grows to 5-12 feet high and wide in a rounded shape, and can grow more than 24” per year.

Its flowers will bloom in the summer and its berries will be edible when blue or purple in August-September. These berries also provide food for dozens of bird species and other wildlife.

Its leaves are dark green with 5-11 leaflets, each 2-6” long.

Sources: Tree Canada and Arbor Day Foundation