1 named cultivar

‘Lemony Lace’Lemony Lace Elderberry

shrubN. America Native

Elderberry

The Story

Plant Bio

Sambucus racemosa, the red elderberry, is a fast deciduous shrub native across North America and Eurasia, reaching eight to twelve feet high and eight to fifteen across. Deeply cut compound leaves clothe arching stems, and dome-shaped clusters of small fragrant white flowers open in May and June. Bright scarlet berries follow in dense conical heads.

Every green part, and the raw fruit and seeds, contains cyanogenic glycosides, so despite the berries being a traditional preserve they must be cooked and strained of seed before use. The shrub also suckers and its brittle branches break in wind and heavy snow, both of which suit it better to a naturalised planting than a formal one.

Uses & Benefits:

Deeply cut foliage, fragrant white flower domes and dense heads of scarlet fruit.

Fast growth makes a screen quickly, and it copes with wet ground that defeats other shrubs.

A North American native whose fruit is heavily taken by birds and whose flowers feed butterflies.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

120 inches

Width

120 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7

Water

Medium to high

Humidity

Average to high

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

North America and Eurasia

Toxicity

Toxic raw; fruit edible only when cooked and strained

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring or autumn in full sun to part shade.
Choose deep soil that stays medium to wet.
Allow room for a twelve-foot shrub that suckers.
Water through the first seasons while establishing.
Prune out damaged and old stems in late winter.
Cut back hard every few years to renew the shrub.

Pro Tip

Best foliage colour is in full sun, but the wood is brittle, so keep it out of wind funnels and away from anything a broken branch could damage.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant it in full sun for the best foliage colour ☀️
Give it deep, moist soil 💧
Renew old stems in late winter ✂️
Cook and strain fruit before any culinary use 🍲

Don't

Eat the raw berries, seeds or any green part ❌
Plant it in an exposed, windy site ❌
Site it where suckering will be a problem ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Harvest
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Naturalised planting in a woodland edgeFast informal screen or background shrubWildlife and native plant garden

Companion Plants

Red Twig Dogwood Ninebark Serviceberry Wild Geranium Ostrich Fern

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Elderberry questions

What zones can Elderberry grow in?

Elderberry is hardy in USDA Zones 4–7. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Elderberry deer resistant?

Yes — Elderberry is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Elderberry bloom?

Elderberry typically blooms in late spring to early summer through late spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Elderberry need full sun?

Elderberry does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.