Black Elderberry vs Bracted Honeysuckle - TreeTime.ca

Black Elderberry vs Bracted Honeysuckle

Sambucus canadensis

Lonicera involucrata

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Black Elderberry
Bracted Honeysuckle

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.

Bracted Honeysuckle is a shade loving shrub that is distinguishable from other honeysuckles by its square stem and pointed leaves. Native to most of North America, this honeysuckle is found along swamps, rivers, riparian zones and moist wooded areas.

If you have a erosion control project in mind, consider Bracted Honeysuckle.

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

Bracted Honeysuckle Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 4a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: any
Light: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium

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

Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Berries: black
Berries: shiny, purple-black berries produced in pairs
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NU
Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry
Other Names: bearberry honeysuckle, black twinberry, twinberry