Virginia Creeper vs Black Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Virginia Creeper vs Black Elderberry

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Sambucus canadensis

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2025)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Virginia Creeper
Black Elderberry

Virginia Creeper is a fast-growing, climbing vine. Its root-like tendrils attach themselves to any non-smooth surface, even brick, but will also grow as a ground cover.

Virginia Creeper makes a beautiful ornamental plant for your garden; its attractive foliage turns from green to deep red in the fall. Birds will love its red berries.

Black Elderberry is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. You can plant this shrub in moist areas and it will help stabilize your soil. You can also use it on rural properties anywhere you'd use a lilac.

Black Elderberries are considered to be partially self-pollinating. So while they will still produce some berries without cross-pollination, planting with another variety will increase yields. Consider planting with Ranch Elderberry or Bob Gordon Elderberry.

Warning: the seeds, stems, leaves, roots, and uncooked berries of the Black Elderberry are poisonous to humans when eaten in quantity. You should cook the berries to make them safe for human consumption.

Virginia Creeper Quick Facts

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 6 m (20 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: any
Light: any
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: high
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: berries are toxic

Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Fall colour: red and purple
Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Berries: small, hard, purple
Berries: black
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: five-finger, five-leaved ivy
Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry