Common Elderberries Information

Common elder or elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is part of the Adoxaceae family, closely linked to viburnum. It is native to Europe, and hardy at U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 8 or 9. Grown as a large shrub or tree, elderberry can reach 10 to 20 or 30 feet in height, depending on number. The leaves are compound, usually in groups of five leaflets, and feathery in appearance. Cream-colored blossoms are borne in flat-topped clusters which appear in early summer. The berries are black when ripe.

Utilizes

Like their relatives, the viburnums, elderberries make good back-of-the-border or specimen plants. The varieties with lacy, deeply dissected leaves are extremely ornamental and could work well in mixed borders of annuals, perennials and shrubs. Birds devour the grasses, and butterflies and pollinators are drawn to the flowers, which makes the plants good alternatives for butterfly or wildlife gardens. Elders also succeed in naturalized areas. Dwarf forms, like “Witch’s Broom,” could be utilized in rock gardens.

Varieties

“Aurea” has golden-yellow leaves and could reach up to 20 feet in height. Forms with very dark foliage comprise Black Lace (Sambucus nigra “Eva”), together with finely dissected leaves, and “Thundercloud,” that also features pink flowerheads. “Laciniata” (Sambucus nigra f. laciniata), that reaches 6 to 8 ft tall, and the smaller “Linearis,” at 3 to 5 ft, bear green dissected leaf reminiscent of Japanese maple. Variegated forms comprise “Marginata,” with cream leaf borders; “Aureomarginata,” featuring yellow borders; and “Francee,” marked with cream, light yellow and green.

Culture

Common elderberry thrives in uniformly moist soils in full sun and part shade. For best appearance, the tree ought to be cut back by at least one third after the leaves drop in the autumn. This pruning is particularly beneficial to cut-leaf varieties like Black Lace. Suckering can be a issue, therefore root suckers should be removed as they look.

Factors

Although elderberries have historically been processed or cooked and used in jellies, cordials, pies, juice and wine, the American Horticultural Society warns that many areas of the plant may lead to discomfort if ingested, and also managing leaves may produce skin irritation. Due to their rapid growth and suckering habit, the shrubs look weedy if not carefully maintained. Newer varieties may be less prone to these problems than older elderberry cultivars.

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