Red Elderberry, European Red Elder, Red-Berried Elder, Scarlet Elderberry
Perfect for traditional and wildlife gardens, Sambucus racemosa (Red Elderberry) is a deciduous suckering shrub or small tree adorned with opposite, pinnately compound, green leaves, 6-9 in. long (15-22 cm). Each individual leaf is composed of 5-7 leaflets, lance-shaped to narrowly oval, and deeply incised along the edges. In late spring to early summer, abundant conical clusters of tiny, fragrant, white flowers appear near the branch tips. Attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies, they give way to upright clusters of red berries that are happily devoured by birds in the fall. Native to Europe, northern temperate Asia, and North America across Canada and the United States, Red Elderberry occurs naturally in moist woodlands, thickets, stream banks, fields, fence rows and roadsides. Colorful from spring through fall, this easy-to-grow shrub looks wonderful in mixed borders or as a high-impact specimen plant. Adaptable in gardens, tolerant of wet soils and partial shade, neither of which will diminish fruit set. Will tolerate full sun in northern climates, but prefers part shade in warmer areas.
Hardiness |
3 - 7 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 7 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Adoxaceae |
Genus | Sambucus |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
Height |
8' - 12' (240cm - 3m) |
Spread |
8' - 15' (240cm - 4m) |
Spacing |
108" - 240" (270cm - 6m) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, United States, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
Tolerance | Deer, Wet Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |
Hardiness |
3 - 7 |
---|---|
Heat Zones |
1 - 7 |
Climate Zones | 1, 1A, 1B, 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, 16, 17, A2, A3 |
Plant Type | Shrubs, Trees |
Plant Family | Adoxaceae |
Genus | Sambucus |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) Fall |
Height |
8' - 12' (240cm - 3m) |
Spread |
8' - 15' (240cm - 4m) |
Spacing |
108" - 240" (270cm - 6m) |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average, High |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Fragrant, Showy, Fruit & Berries |
Native Plants | Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northeast, Ohio, Oregon, Pacific Northwest, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Rocky Mountains, South Dakota, Southeast, Southwest, Tennessee, United States, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
Tolerance | Deer, Wet Soil |
Attracts | Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds |
Garden Uses | Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens |
Garden Styles | Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage |
How many Sambucus racemosa (Red Elderberry) do I need for my garden?
Plant | Quantity | |
---|---|---|
Sambucus racemosa (Red Elderberry) | N/A | Buy Plants |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!