Also known as Elderberry · 474 gardener saves
Sambucus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Sambucus, the genus most gardeners know as elderberry. We track 10 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 10 most-saved Sambucus varieties
Of 10 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedBlack Lace Elderberry
Sambucus nigra 'Black Lace'
#2 most savedKorsor Black Elderberry
Sambucus nigra 'Korsor'
#3 most savedThundercloud Elderberry
Sambucus nigra 'Thundercloud'
Black Tower Elderberry
Sambucus nigra 'Black Tower'
Laced Up Elderberry
Sambucus nigra 'Laced Up'
European Elder
Sambucus nigrum
American Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
Lemony Lace Elderberry
Sambucus racemosa 'Lemony Lace'
Adams American Elder
Sambucus canadensis 'Adams'
Laced Up Elderberry
Sambucus nigra 'Laced Up Or Strait-Laced'
How to grow Sambucus
What the Sambucus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 10 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Sambucus year
- PruneJanuary and February100% of varieties
Cut back hard in late winter to maintain shape and encourage new fruiting wood
- HarvestJuly and August80% of varieties
Pick berries when fully ripe (dark purple/black) for culinary use
- Check for PestsApril–June70% of varieties
Monitor new growth for aphids; check for elderberry borers.
- FertilizeMarch60% of varieties
Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring if soil is poor
- PlantMarch, April, September and October30% of varieties
Plant bare root or container stock in early spring or fall.
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
- Water regularly, especially during dry periods 🌱
- Prune annually to maintain shape and remove deadwood ✂️
- Apply organic fertilizer in early spring to boost growth 🌱
- Monitor for pests and treat early ❌
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Neglect pruning, leading to overgrown or weak branches ❌
- Use chemical pesticides excessively ❌
What goes wrong with Sambucus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with miticide |
| Elder Borer | Holes in canes, sawdust-like frass, and wilting stems. | Prune out and destroy infested canes immediately. No effective chemical control for borers once inside the stem. |
| Eriophyid Mites | Deformed and stippled leaves | Apply horticultural oil during dormant season |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply copper fungicide |
| Canker | Sunken lesions on branches | Prune affected areas and disinfect tools |
| Leaf Spot | Dark spots on foliage | Remove affected leaves and use copper-based fungicide |
Making more Sambucus
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-hardwood stems in late summer
- Cut 6-8 inch sections with clean shears
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist potting mix and cover with plastic
- Keep in bright, indirect light for 6 weeks until rooted
Softwood Cuttings
- Take 4-6 inch cuttings of new growth in early summer.
- Remove lower leaves and dip in rooting hormone.
- Insert into a mix of perlite and peat.
- Keep humid and moist; roots form in 6-8 weeks.
Sambucus questions
How many types of Sambucus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 10 distinct Sambucus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 474 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Sambucus grow in?
Across its varieties, Sambucus covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Sambucus bloom?
Most Sambucus varieties bloom in late spring, early summer, mid-spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Sambucus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Sambucus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
