Lowbush Blueberry vs Ranch Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Lowbush Blueberry vs Ranch Elderberry

Vaccinium angustifolium

Sambucus canadensis Ranch

Lowbush Blueberry
Ranch Elderberry

Lowbush Blueberry, commonly known as the Wild Lowbush Blueberry, is often wild-harvested and thrives in low pH acidic soil. This early low-bush blueberry produces white and pink bell-shaped flowers in the spring. Its fruit is smaller in size than high bush blueberry plants and is more flavourful with an intense blueberry taste-masking it perfect for fresh eating, baking, and preserves.

Note: Blueberries require very specific soil conditions. They need well-drained soil with a pH between 4.5 and 5.0. If the starting pH of your soil is between 5.1 and 6.2 you can lower it by adding sulfur. We recommend against planting blueberries in soil with a starting pH greater than 6.2. Please do your own research before buying any blueberry plants.

Ranch Elderberry is a vigorous and high-yielding Black Elderberry cultivar. It ripens earlier than other varieties and is smaller and more compact making berry harvest easier. The berries are well-suited for baked goods, jams, jellies, and syrups. They are high in vitamin C and reported to be beneficial for the immune system.

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 Black Elderberry or Bob Gordon Elderberry.

Warning: the seeds, stems, leaves, roots, and uncooked berries are toxic to humans when eaten in quantity. Berries should be cooked to make them safe for human consumption.

Lowbush Blueberry Quick Facts

Ranch Elderberry Quick Facts

Lowest Price: $4.49 - SAVE UP TO 46%
Lowest Price: $12.99 - SAVE UP TO 38%
Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Height: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Spread: 0.3 m (1.0 ft)
Spread: 1.5 m (5 ft)
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal, wet
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: full sun
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no
Berries: edible blue
Berries: black
Harvest: July
Harvest: late summer to early fall
Flowers: white, pink tinged, bell shaped
Flowers: fragrant, white
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: none
Suckering: medium




Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Other Names: late lowbush blueberry, late sweet blueberry, wild lowbush blueberry
Other Names: american elderberry ranch, american ranch elderberry, ranch american elderberry