A.k.a common elderberry and black elder. A well known, fast growing native shrub with lightly lemon scented flowers and fruit highly desirable to wildlife, particularly songbirds. An adaptable addition to a native edible garden, flower, or pollinator garden. A native alternative to various wildly invasive honeysuckle bushes: elderberry has a similar growth habit and requirements, so is a shoe-in colonizer to fill space left by invasive plant removals. This is a fast growing plant, and can be cut back to the ground every few years to maintain a dense form.

Pollination: 2+ individuals reccomended.

Light: Full Sun, Part Sun/Shade

Soil Moisture: Wet, Wet Mesic, Mesic 

Soil Type: Adaptable

Height: 4’-12’ 

Width: 4’-12’ 

Bloom Color: White

Bloom Time: May-Jun 

Fruit: Purple/black berries mature Aug-Sep.

Fall Color: Yellow

Root Type: Rhizome

Notable Wildlife Interactions: Flowers attract bees, flies, and beetles. Hosts a few species of moths, beetles, borers, and some smaller insects. Hollow stems provide nesting cavities for some masonry and carpenter bees. Berries are highly sought after by a wide variety of fruit eating birds including thrushes, thrashers, bluebirds, and waxwings. Foliage is bitter and rarely browsed by mammals.

Notes: Fruits are not edible raw. Resistant to heat, drought, and soil compaction. Stems have historically been made into whistles and maple sugaring spiles, stems and fruit could be made into dyes.