PlantsFruits & Berries
American Elderberry
Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis
Chicago-region native. Suited to zone 6a.
Fast edible shrub and pollinator plant
ModerateFruits & BerriesAlso Shrubs & VinesAlso Rain GardenEdibleRain garden
- Light
- Full sun–part shade
- Moisture
- Medium–moist
- Mature size
- 8–15 ft
- Spacing
- 8–12 ft
- Bloom or harvest
- Flowers Jun–Jul; fruit Aug–Sep
- How it spreads
- Strong suckering
- What to buy
- Container or balled-and-burlapped; bare-root in early spring.
- When to plant
- Early Apr–May after soil thaws and drains; Sep–mid Oct for container/B&B. Bare-root: early spring.
In the design
Usually fruits better with two genetically different plants; give it a large edge.
If you eat it
Cooked ripe berries and flowers
Raw or unripe berries, leaves, stems, and bark can cause illness; cook berries and remove stems
Only eat what you planted and can name. This is not a foraging or medical guide.
