Red Elderberry vs Northern Bayberry - TreeTime.ca

Red Elderberry vs Northern Bayberry

Sambucus racemosa

Myrica pensylvanica

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Red Elderberry
Northern Bayberry

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.

Note: This species is currently unavailable. Grow your own using Red Elderberry seeds at SeedTime.ca.

Northern Bayberry makes an excellent hedge or feature shrub. It will retain its leaves in warmer climates but drops them in colder areas. They produce blue-grey berries that have a wax coating on them that can be used to make candles or soaps.

In colder hardiness zones the leaves turn an attractive orange to red colour in the fall, making it a striking addition to your landscape.

Northern Bayberry is native to Nova Scotia and tolerates both drought and wet conditions. It is also a nitrogen fixer that tolerates poor soil conditions.

Red Elderberry Quick Facts

Northern Bayberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: yes
Berries: bright red berries
Berries: blue-gray
Flowers: white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: slow
Life span: medium
Life span: long
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium



Toxicity: toxic to humans

Toxicity: Warning: The wax from bayberry fruit is considered toxic and may be carcinogenic.
Other Names: red elder
Other Names: candlewood, myrique de pennsylvanie, small waxberry, swamp candleberry, tallow bayberry, tallow shrub, tallow tree, tallowshrub