Bearberry vs Black Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Bearberry vs Black Elderberry

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

Sambucus canadensis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Bearberry
Black Elderberry

Bearberry is a dwarf shrub known for its creamy pink flowers and red edible fruits.

It is great as a filler in gardens and flowerbeds in place of invasive ground cover plants, like English Ivy.

Bearberry will attract hummingbirds, butterflies and bees to your property. It is one of the top 12 plants recommended by the Alberta Native Bee Council to support pollinators.

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

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.

Bearberry Quick Facts

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $7.99 - SAVE UP TO 38%
Zone: 1b
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.1 m (0.3 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Moisture: dry, normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: small red berries
Berries: black
Flowers: small, purple-white
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Growth rate: slow
Growth rate: medium
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium




Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Other Names: kinnikinnick, mealberry, sandberry
Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry