Black Elderberry vs Chippewa Blueberry - TreeTime.ca

Black Elderberry vs Chippewa Blueberry

Vaccinium x Chippewa

Sambucus canadensis

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Chippewa Blueberry
Black Elderberry

Chippewa Blueberry is the perfect shrub for attracting birds and butterflies. Incredibly cold-hardy, the Chippewa Blueberry is an upright shrub making it easy for harvesting. Known for producing high yields of large blue-colored berries, this blueberry is a favourite for fresh eating, baking, and preserves. As with all blueberries, the Chippewa needs soil with a low pH and high acidity.

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.

Chippewa Blueberry Quick Facts

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

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Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: normal, wet
Growth rate: fast
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium
Maintenance: medium


Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Fall colour: red and orange
Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Flowers: white, pink tinged
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Berries: edible blue
Berries: black
Firmness: firm
Flavor: sweet, juicy
Harvest: July
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Other Names: chippewa half high blueberry, half high blueberry
Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry