Sambucus

( sam - BEW - kuss )

At-A-Glance Information

Sambucus, commonly called Elder, Elderflower or Elderberry, is a genus of fruiting deciduous shrubs and trees. Species need full sun to light shade and regular water for best performance in the landscape. Dark berries will attract birds to the yard and the preceding flowers will bring in pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies. Elderberry are grown for both their flowers and berries, and are also valued for their use as screening plants and windbreaks. They can also be used as specimens in mixed beds, borders, and shrubberies, as erosion control on sloped areas of the landscape or in rain gardens bioswales, or food gardens. Take care when planting Elderberry in your garden, as the raw fruit of some species can cause upset stomach if ingested by humans and pets.

Sambucus Species and Varietals

The genus Sambucus includes 10 species and is a member of the plant family Adoxaceae. The genus was previously classified in the plant family Caprifoliaceae, but was moved due to genetic and morphological comparisons. The plants in this genus are closely related to those in Viburnum. The best growing zones for Elderberry vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Sambucus canadensis (Sambucus nigra canadensis) (American Elderberry, Canada Elderberry, Common Elderberry, American Elder, Canadian Black Elderberry)
This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 3-9 or Sunset growing zones A1-A3, 1-7 and 14-17 They are native to the central and eastern areas of North America and do well in cold-winter climates. American Elderberry has a suckering, spreading habit and can reach 12 feet tall and just as wide. Summer flowers are cream-colored and bloom in flat clusters. They are followed by purple-black berries that are great in pies and wines. Cultivars include 'Adams' (with profuse harvests of large fruits), 'Aurea' (with golden-green foliage and red berries), and 'York'. This species is considered invasive in South Africa and Cuba.

Sambucus nigra (Black Elder, European Elder, European Black Elderberry, Common Elder, Elderflower)
This species can be grown as either a shrub or a tree, and is best in USDA hardiness zones 4-8 or Sunset growing zones 2-7 and 14-17. Black Elder is native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia. It is a shrubby but upright growth to 20-30 feet tall and just as wide. Flowers are fragrant and white, blooming in clusters in late spring to early summer. Berries that follow are purplish-black and are great for syrups, jams, wines, and pies. Black Elder is considered invasive in South Africa and New Zealand. Varieties are listed and described below.

'Aurea'
10-20 feet tall with yellow-green foliage.

'Guincho Purple'
Reaches 15 feet tall and 10 feet wide, with green foliage that matures to purple and reddens in fall; flowers are white blushed with pink.

'Black Beauty' ('Gerda')
Retains dark foliage throughout the year),

'Aureomarginata'
With yellow-edged green leaves.

'Laciniata'
With finely cut green foliage

'Marginata'
('Albovariegata', 'Variegata')
Green leaves are bordered with creamy white.

'Madonna'
To 4-5 feet tall, compact with green leaves variegated with light green, chartreuse, yellow, and cream.

'Pulverulenta'
New leaves are white, maturing to green irregularly striped and marked with white.

Caring for sambucus

Elderberry shrubs prefer full sun, but can take some shade especially in warmer climates. To maximize berry production, plant in a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day. In particularly warm climates, provide plants with some late afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak. Cultivars with dark foliage should be grown in full sun for the most intense leaf color, and variegated types prefer partial shade especially in warmer climates. Plant in well-draining loamy soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (general preferred pH range is between 5.0 and 8.0). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. Mature Sambucus plants can handle short dry spells, but grow and produce best with regular waterings, especially during active growth, flowering, and fruiting periods and dry weather.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Elderberry can get leggy if not pruned; to keep shrubs with a more dense habit, prune hard while they are entering dormancy in late summer to fall. To prune these shrubs into trees, select the strongest, straightest vertical cane and stake it securely. Gradually prune away the lower shoots and root suckers around the base over several seasons, allowing a top main canopy to develop. Each late winter or early spring, prune to shape. Sambucus shrubs typically survive for between 30 and 60 years in the landscape before needing to be replaced, and individual canes live for between 3 and 5 years. The root system will continually send up new shoots to sustain the plant, which can be divided from the mother shrub or tree and transplanted elsewhere, providing new plants for the landscape indefinitely.

Harvesting Sambucus
Note that Sambucus fruits are toxic when they are raw. Do not consume fruits right off of the shrubs; cook before eating. Elderberry juice can stain clothing and hands. The Sambucus species cultivated for their fruits, commonly called Elderberries, are Sambucus nigra and Sambucus canadensis. Although Sambucus are monoecious with male and female reproductive structures in each bloom, to get a full fruit set, it is recommended to have two compatible cultivars planted in proximity (within 50-60 feet of one another). This will greatly improve cross-pollination, cluster size, and total fruit set. Sambucus shrubs and trees will begin producing full harvests between 3 and 5 years of age. Each mature plant can produce about 12 to 15 pounds of fruit per season. To keep production at its peak, make sure to regularly remove wood older than three years in summertime after flowering and fruiting has ended. Net shrubs and trees if bird grazing becomes an issue. Fruits are harvested in late summer to early fall when clusters turn completely dark purple to black. The best time of day to harvest is in the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Using sharp, clean shears, remove bunches from the plant, and place them in shallow trays. Do not stack too many layers of berries on top of each other, as they are delicate and will bruise.

After harvesting, bring the Elderberries inside and freeze in whole clusters in the freezer for 12 hours. The clusters can then be shaken to release the individual berries. Freezing hardens the berries and allows for removal without damage, which also means less juice stains on hands and other surfaces. Rinse the berries in a colander, and remove any that are green. Also remove any debris or tiny bits of stem. Sambucus plant parts other than ripe, cooked berries are toxic. Once sorted, place berries in a pot with a small amount of water (enough to cover the berries with a shallow layer). Simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, allow to cool for a few minutes, and then strain through cheesecloth to separate skin and seeds from safe, rich juice. Elderberries have a tart, earthy, and slightly bitter taste with notes of Blackberry and Black Currant. Their juice is typically used to make sweet syrups, jams, wines, baked goods, and can also be added to savory condiments like vinegar, ketchup, or meat sauces.

The flowers of Elderberry shrubs have a light, sweet, floral scent and can be used in drinks, syrups, or as crispy treats. Harvest flowers in late spring through early summertime, when the flat-topped clusters, or umbels, are fully open, creamy white and fragrant. Avoid harvesting heads with green, tightly closed buds and any with brown, shriveled flower heads. The best time of day to harvest Elderflowers is in the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in. Using sharp, clean shears, make a cut at the base of the flower stem just below the flower head, and lay flat in a wide basket. After harvesting, gently inspect the flower clusters and let them sit outdoors briefly to let any insects depart. Avoid heavy rinsing or washing, as this will wash away the distinct flavor and aroma. Use the fresh flowers the same day for cordials, syrups, liqueurs, or even fritters. They can also be dried in a single layer on parchment paper in a cool, dark, well-ventilated space for 5 to 7 days (or in a dehydrator at 95-115 degrees Fahrenheit for a few hours). Dried Elderflowers have a subtle, fruity, and floral taste. They can be made into herbal teas, simmered into syrup, mixed into baked goods, used to flavor kombucha, or infused into honey or neutral alcohol (to make Elderflower Liqueur).

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Sambucus can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your shrubs, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Sambucus by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Sambucus by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seeds produced by Sambucus shrubs are contained inside the fruits produced. Harvest berries when they are ripe, and remove the seeds from their berries. Set the seeds aside until you are ready to work with them.
Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes anywhere from several days to several months from sowing.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Sambucus plants produce berries called Elderberries after flowers fade. They are black to deep purple when mature, and contain between 3 and 5 small seeds.

Sambucus seeds are tiny, flat, and light brown to yellowish. They have a hard seed coat that requires stratification to break dormancy.

Problems and Pests

Certain species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Sambucus plants are susceptible to the following problems in the landscape: