Red Elderberry vs Black Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Red Elderberry vs Black Elderberry

Sambucus racemosa

Sambucus canadensis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Red Elderberry
Black Elderberry

Red Elderberry is an attractive, medium-sized deciduous shrub.

It produces clusters of white flowers in the spring and bright red berry-like drupes, which provide beautiful contrast against its coarse, textured green foliage.

Red Elder can be pruned as a small single or multi-stemmed tree.

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.

Red Elderberry Quick Facts

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium

Toxicity: toxic to humans

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


Other Names: red elder
Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry