Red Elderberry vs Black Raspberry - TreeTime.ca

Red Elderberry vs Black Raspberry

Rubus occidentalis

Sambucus racemosa

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

Black Raspberry
Red Elderberry

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 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 Raspberry Quick Facts

Red Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 2a
Height: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: high
Suckering: none
Maintenance: medium


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


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