Black Elderberry vs Japanese Quince - TreeTime.ca

Black Elderberry vs Japanese Quince

Sambucus canadensis

Chaenomeles japonica

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON

Black Elderberry
Japanese Quince

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.

Japanese Quince has bright, orange to red showy flowers that bloom in early spring. The flowers appear before the leaves and may continue to bloom after leaves emerge. Flowers grow on old wood, so pruning after flowering will help to promote new growth next spring. They produce yellow-green fruit that taste bitter when eaten raw, typically they are better suited for making preserves.

It can be used as a stand alone ornamental shrub, as a low hedge, or can be trained to grow against a wall. In late winter, branches of Japanese Quince can be cut and brought indoors where they will bloom on their own. They are deer and rabbit tolerant. The branches are spiny making them well suited for keeping unwanted wildlife away.

Note: This species is currently unavailable. Grow your own using Japanese Quince seeds at SeedTime.ca.

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

Japanese Quince Quick Facts

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Zone: 3a
Zone: 5a
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Height: 0.9 m (3 ft)
Spread: 2.4 m (8 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Moisture: normal, wet
Moisture: dry, normal
Light: any
Light: partial shade, full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: black
Flavor: bitter
Harvest: fall
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Flowers: showy, red-orange
Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: medium
Life span: short
Life span: medium
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium



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

Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry
Other Names: flowering quince, maules quince