Northern Red Currant vs Black Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Northern Red Currant vs Black Elderberry

Sambucus canadensis

Ribes triste

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Black Elderberry
Northern Red Currant

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.

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 Quick Facts

Northern Red Currant Quick Facts

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



Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans

Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry
Other Names: swamp red currant