Showy Mountain Ash vs Red Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Showy Mountain Ash vs Red Elderberry

Sambucus racemosa

Sorbus decora

NOT AVAILABLE THIS SEASON - MIGHT RETURN

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Red Elderberry
Showy Mountain Ash

Red Elderberry is an attractive, medium-sized deciduous shrub.

It produces clusters of white flowers in the spring and bright red berry-like drupes, which provide beautiful contrast against its coarse, textured green foliage.

Red Elder can be pruned as a small single or multi-stemmed tree.

Showy Mountain Ash is a hardy accent tree. It features pretty clusters of white flowers in spring followed by bright scarlet berries lasting into winter.

Great for small landscapes, Showy Mountain Ash is adaptable to both dry and moist locations, and it is suitable for average home landscape conditions.

Red Elderberry Quick Facts

Showy Mountain Ash Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 2a
Height: 4 m (13 ft)
Height: 12 m (40 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 3 m (10 ft)
Light: partial shade, full sun
Light: any
Moisture: normal
Moisture: normal
Growth rate: medium
Growth rate: fast
Life span: medium
Life span: medium
Suckering: none
Suckering: low

Toxicity: toxic to humans

Fall colour: reddish-orange
Flowers: white
Flowers: white, showy clusters
Berries: bright red berries
Berries: redberries in bunches
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no


Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, PE
Native to: SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL
Other Names: red elder
Other Names: dogberry