Red Osier Dogwood vs Black Elderberry - TreeTime.ca

Red Osier Dogwood vs Black Elderberry

Cornus sericea

Sambucus canadensis

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

COMING SOON

(new stock expected: fall of 2026)

Red Osier Dogwood
Black Elderberry

Red Osier Dogwood is a small deciduous shrub that features deep red stems and twigs year-round, with creamy white flowers in the spring. This shrub will add a nice pop of color to your yard.

Red Osier Dogwood is an excellent soil stabilizer. It is fast growing and becomes drought tolerant once well established.

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.

Red Osier Dogwood Quick Facts

Black Elderberry Quick Facts

Zone: 2a
Zone: 3a
Height: 2.7 m (9 ft)
Height: 3 m (10 ft)
Spread: 1.8 m (6 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: medium
Life span: short
Suckering: medium
Suckering: medium


Toxicity: leaves, stems, and uncooked berries are poisonous to humans
Fall colour: dark red
Bark: dark red, showy
Bark: gray brownish with rigid bumps
Flowers: white
Flowers: fragrant, white and showy
Berries: white waxy
Berries: black
Hybrid: no
Hybrid: no
Catkins: no
Catkins: no

In row spacing: 0.9 m (3 ft)

Between row spacing: 5 m (16 ft)
Native to: AB, BC, SK, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, NL, YT, NT, NU, PE
Native to: AB, MB, ON, QC, NS, NB, PE
Other Names: american dogwood, california dogwood, creek dogwood, dogberry tree, red dogwood, red twig dogwood, redosier dogwood, redstem dogwood, western dogwood
Other Names: american black elderberry, american elderberry, canada elderberry, common elderberry