Black Elderberry vs Wild Strawberry - TreeTime.ca

Black Elderberry vs Wild Strawberry

Sambucus canadensis

Fragaria virginiana

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Black Elderberry
Wild Strawberry

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.

Often called the Woodland Strawberry, the Wild Strawberry produces a sweet, edible red berry all throughout the later spring and summer. This compact, stemless plant spreads mostly through the means of runners, and grows quickly.

Flowers and fruit of the Wild Strawberry are usually present simultaneously throughout the summer. This variety is native to North America, which gives it its name.

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

Wild Strawberry Quick Facts

Zone: 3a
Zone: 3a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 0.1 m (0.3 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: short
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: high
Maintenance: medium

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

Fall colour: red to purple
Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Flowers: white
Fruit: small
Berries: black
Berries: sweet
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry
Other Names: common strawberry, mountain strawberry, virginia strawberry