American Black Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis ‘Bob Gordon’
It’s hard to know where to start when extolling the many fantastic traits of Elderberry. Its tiny, fragrant flowers are borne in giant, showy clusters in early summer and can attract hundreds of pollinators on a sunny day. These flowers give way to spectacular masses of dark fruit, providing a feast for birds of all kinds. If you’re lucky enough to get to them first, you can concoct elderberry jellies, pies, or even wine. ‘Bob Gordon’ produces especially sweet and heavy fruits for all of your jelly and jam dreams. Deer avoid it, it responds well to hard pruning, and its compound leaves provide interesting texture. While not necessarily a plant for a small garden, it functions beautifully as a hedge or living fence, or as a backdrop for your pond or stream.
Note: Plant more than one variety of Elderberry to ensure the best fruit set.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade; moist to wet soil
Size: 8′ – 10′ tall, 6′ – 10′ spread
Zone: 4 – 9
Wildlife Value: Flowers highly attractive to native bees, hoverflies, longhorned beetles, tumbling flower beetles and many other pollinators; fruits beloved by birds; larval host for Elderberry longhorn beetle
Photos: Dave Korbonits
