American elder is a native North American shrub that transforms a moist corner of your garden into a pollinator magnet and wildlife haven. Growing 5 to 12 feet tall and 3 to 10 feet wide, this deciduous beauty produces lemon-scented white flowers in large flat-topped clusters starting in June, followed by clusters of black edible elderberries in late summer. Hardy in zones 3 through 9, it thrives in medium to wet, well-drained soils and tolerates everything from clay to partial shade, making it one of the most adaptable native shrubs for eastern North American gardens.
Partial Sun
Moderate
3-9
144in H x 120in W
—
High
Hover over chart points for details
The fragrant white flower clusters that appear in June carry a distinctive lemon scent and spread across impressive flat-topped cymes up to 10 inches across. These flowers give way to edible black elderberries that birds and butterflies flock to in late summer, turning this shrub into a living bird feeder and pollinator hub. Its tolerance for wet soils, clay, and erosion-prone sites makes it especially valuable for rain gardens and stream banks where other shrubs struggle.
American elder works beautifully as a hedging plant, creating living screens in wet or difficult sites where conventional hedges fail. Its suitability for rain gardens makes it invaluable for managing stormwater runoff while supporting local birds and butterflies. The edible black elderberries can be harvested for preserves, syrups, and traditional elder wine preparations.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Seeds germinate at temperatures between 45 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Start seeds indoors during late winter to give them a head start before the last spring frost in your zone.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date in your zone, spacing plants 3 to 10 feet apart depending on your desired final width. Choose a location with medium to wet soil and full sun to partial shade.
Direct sowing is possible but less common; seeds can be sown outdoors in fall or early spring where soil stays consistently moist.
Harvest black elderberries in late summer when the fruits are fully black and slightly soft to the touch. Pick entire fruit clusters by cutting them from the branch, then strip the berries from their stems. The berries are edible once they reach full black color and will attract birds, so harvest promptly if you want to preserve fruit for your own use.
Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and health. Remove dead or weakened stems, shorten one-year growth, or cut the entire plant back to the ground if rejuvenation is needed. Prune out root suckers as they appear unless you want the plant to naturalize into a colony. Hard spring pruning encourages the best foliage development.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Sambucus canadensis is native to eastern North America, where it has grown along streambanks, in moist woodlands, thickets, fence rows, and roadsides since long before European settlement. The plant earned its common name American elder to distinguish it from its European cousins, and it remains a staple of native plant landscapes throughout the eastern United States and Missouri.”