Northern Red Currant vs Black Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Northern Red Currant vs Black Elderberry

Ribes triste

Sambucus canadensis

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Northern Red Currant
Black Elderberry

The Northern Red Currant is also known as the Swamp Red currant due to its preference for moist soil. As long as the soil is wet, this shrub can live in any degree of sunlight.

The currant itself is a bright red-purple berry enjoyed by many animals and some people for its sour flavour, similar to garden red currants. The flowers of this shrub are tiny and red or greenish-purple.

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.

Northern Red Currant Quick Facts

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

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Zone: 1a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.8 m (2.5 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: any
Light: any
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: shiny, sour, bright red
Berries: black
Flowers: reddish or greenish purple
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium




Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Other Names: swamp red currant
Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry