Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa 'Sutherland Gold') is a deciduous shrub native to Washington that grows 6 to 10 feet tall and wide, thriving in the colder reaches of zones 3 through 7. In late spring through early summer, it produces fragrant white flowers arranged in dome-shaped clusters that attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators. The dark red berries that follow are showy and technically edible, though raw berries contain compounds that require proper preparation before consumption. This is a plant that prefers moist soil and spreads by root suckers to naturalize in woodland gardens or function as a living hedge.
Partial Sun
Moderate
3-7
120in H x 120in W
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High
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Fragrant white flower clusters bloom from late spring into early summer, drawing hummingbirds and butterflies with reliable enthusiasm. The showy dark red berries that follow add visual interest well into the season while tolerating wet soil conditions that would challenge many other shrubs. What truly sets this native apart is its vigor and adaptability: it thrives in full sun to partial shade, handles moderate moisture levels, and spreads naturally by root suckers to form colonies, making it excellent for naturalizing in gardens or stabilizing moist landscapes.
Red Elderberry serves dual purposes in the landscape and garden. It functions as a deciduous hedge or screen, particularly in moist, difficult-to-plant areas where its suckering habit can be managed through deliberate pruning. Beyond the ornamental role, the berries have been traditionally foraged and prepared for use, though they require proper cooking or processing to safely render them edible. The plant also naturalizes beautifully in woodland gardens and along stream banks, where its ability to tolerate wet soil and spread by root suckers allows it to establish natural colonies.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Berries ripen to dark red in mid to late summer, typically appearing about 4 to 6 weeks after flowering ends. They are showy and ornamental on the plant, but do not harvest and consume raw berries, as they contain compounds that are toxic to humans and livestock without proper preparation. If you intend to use the berries, harvest them when fully dark red and cook or process them according to traditional elderberry recipes to render them safe.
Prune in late winter, removing any dead or weakened stems and shortening one-year-old growth to encourage bushier development. If you're naturalizing the plant and want it to spread by root suckers and form colonies, allow the suckers to develop unpruned. If you prefer a more controlled, contained shrub, remove root suckers as they appear throughout the growing season. The somewhat sprawling growth habit responds well to selective pruning to maintain shape.
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“Red Elderberry is a Washington native, a deciduous suckering shrub that has long occupied moist, humusy woodlands and stream corridors across the Pacific Northwest and into colder regions eastward. The 'Sutherland Gold' cultivar represents a deliberate selection from this native species, refined through horticultural breeding to maintain the best characteristics of the species while potentially offering improved ornamental or cultural traits. Its availability through commercial nurseries like Raintree and mention in botanical gardens reflects the growing recognition of native shrubs as valuable, low-maintenance additions to temperate gardens.”