Red Elderberry vs Black Raspberry - TreeTime.ca

Red Elderberry vs Black Raspberry

Sambucus racemosa

Rubus occidentalis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Red Elderberry
Black Raspberry

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.

The Black Raspberry is a multi-stemmed shrub that produces edible red berries that deepen to black as they mature. The berries are flavorful and are great for fresh eating and preserves. Black Raspberry shrubs bloom in late spring with white, rose-like flowers and attract many pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

Black Raspberries are floricanes primarily fruiting on second year canes. Each spring cut back all two-year old canes, leaving only the last year’s growth.

Red Elderberry Quick Facts

Black Raspberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $11.99 - SAVE UP TO 25%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium

Toxicity: toxic to humans

Flowers: white
Berries: bright red berries
Berries: red to black
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, PE
Native to: ON, QC, NB
Other Names: red elder
Other Names: bears eye blackberry, black cap, scotch cap