Common Elderberry Bush Live Plant – 12-14″ Tall, 1 Gallon Potted Shrub

Overview

Bring both beauty and bounty to your garden with a common elderberry bush (Sambucus canadensis). This remarkable shrub, often growing into a small tree, is a native North American species renowned for its ornamental appeal and functional benefits. Our common elderberry bush arrives as a healthy 12-14" tall plant in a 1-gallon pot, ready to establish quickly in your landscape. Ideal for attracting butterflies and other pollinators, this adaptable plant thrives in various conditions, making it a wonderful addition near streams, ponds, or in any garden setting. The common elderberry bush is a fast-growing, long-lived plant that will provide years of enjoyment and a harvest of edible flowers and berries.

The sambucus canadensis shrub is a true garden workhorse, offering year-round interest. From late spring to early summer, it produces captivating clusters of creamy white, fragrant flowers that not only delight the senses but also serve as a vital food source for beneficial insects. These flowers transition into abundant clusters of dark purple to black berries, which are a favorite of birds and can be harvested for a variety of culinary uses. This edible elderberry plant is a fantastic choice for those looking to add a productive and aesthetically pleasing element to their outdoor space.

Key Benefits

The common elderberry bush offers a wealth of advantages for any gardener, blending ornamental beauty with practical utility. Its numerous benefits make it a standout choice for diverse landscape designs.

• Attracts Pollinators: The fragrant white flowers are a magnet for butterflies, bees, and other beneficial insects, supporting local ecosystems and enhancing garden biodiversity. This makes the native elderberry an excellent choice for a pollinator garden.
• Edible Flowers & Berries: Both the elderflowers and ripe elderberries are edible and highly prized for culinary creations. Use the flowers for syrups and fritters, and the berries for jams, jellies, pies, wines, and teas. This truly is an edible elderberry plant.
• Adaptable & Hardy: This resilient shrub tolerates a wide range of soil types and growing conditions, making it suitable for many different climates and garden styles. It’s known for its robust nature and ease of establishment.
• Fast Growth Rate: The common elderberry bush grows quickly, typically adding 12-24 inches of height per year, allowing it to establish a significant presence in your garden rapidly.
• Aesthetic Appeal: With its lush green foliage, showy flower clusters, and bountiful berries, the elderberry provides significant visual interest throughout the growing season.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the sambucus canadensis shrub requires minimal care, making it an ideal choice for busy gardeners or those new to planting.
• Child & Pet Safe (Ripe Berries & Flowers): The ripe berries and flowers are considered safe for consumption, offering peace of mind for families. (Unripe berries should be avoided.)

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Caring for your common elderberry bush is relatively straightforward, ensuring years of beautiful blooms and delicious harvests. This adaptable plant thrives with proper siting and basic attention to its needs. For optimal growth and fruit production, plant your elderberry in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily) will generally result in the most abundant flowering and fruiting. While it can tolerate some shade, too little light may reduce berry yield.

The sambucus canadensis shrub prefers moist, well-drained soil. It is not overly particular about soil type and can thrive in clay, loam, or sandy soils, provided there is good drainage. Ensure the soil remains consistently moist, especially during dry spells and the plant’s establishment period. Regular watering is crucial during its first year. Once established, it can tolerate some drought but will perform best with adequate moisture. Mulching around the base can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. The elderberry for pollinators benefits from an annual application of balanced fertilizer in early spring to support vigorous growth and fruit development.

The common elderberry bush is cold hardy, generally suited for USDA Zones 3-9. It can reach a mature height of 7-15 feet and spread 6-12 feet wide. Pruning can be done in late winter or early spring to shape the plant, remove dead or damaged branches, and encourage new growth, which often leads to better fruit production. This edible elderberry plant is generally pest and disease resistant, though occasional issues like aphids or powdery mildew can occur, which can typically be managed with organic solutions. Detailed care instructions will be included with your plant to guide you through its successful establishment and growth.

Size & Details

This offering is for a healthy common elderberry bush, measuring 12-14 inches tall from the top of the soil, provided in a 1-gallon nursery pot. The plant is well-rooted and ready for immediate transplanting into your garden or a larger container. Elderberries are known for their fast growth rate, typically adding 12-24 inches of height per year under ideal conditions, quickly reaching a mature size of 7-15 feet tall and 6-12 feet wide. This allows the native elderberry to become a significant presence in your landscape within a few seasons.

The plant is shipped potted, ensuring minimal stress during transit and a smoother transition to its new home. Expect your sambucus canadensis shrub to begin flowering in June to July, with berries developing shortly after. With a lifespan often exceeding 60 years, this shrub will provide decades of ornamental beauty and productive harvests. The robust root system in the 1-gallon pot is designed to facilitate quick establishment and vigorous growth upon planting.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big will my common elderberry bush get? A: This plant can reach a mature height of 7-15 feet and spread 6-12 feet wide, depending on growing conditions and pruning practices. Its fast growth rate means it will establish quickly.
• Q: What kind of soil does the edible elderberry plant need? A: The common elderberry bush thrives in moist, well-drained soil. It is adaptable to various soil types, including clay, loam, or sandy soil, as long as good drainage is present.
• Q: How much sun does a native elderberry need? A: For best results and abundant fruiting, plant your elderberry in full sun to partial shade. Full sun will generally yield the most flowers and berries.
• Q: When is the best time to plant my sambucus canadensis shrub? A: The ideal planting time for your elderberry plant is in the spring or fall when temperatures are moderate, allowing for optimal root establishment.
• Q: Are the berries safe to eat? A: Yes, the ripe black berries are edible and can be used in various culinary creations like jams and wines. However, unripe berries contain toxins and should not be consumed. The flowers are also edible.
• Q: Is this elderberry for pollinators? A: Absolutely! The fragrant white flowers of the common elderberry bush are highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and other beneficial pollinators, making it an excellent choice for supporting local wildlife.
• Q: What USDA Hardiness Zones is this elderberry suitable for? A: The common elderberry bush is hardy in USDA Zones 3-9, making it suitable for a wide range of climates across North America.
• Q: How frequently should I water my new elderberry plant? A: During its first year, water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist. Once established, it is more drought-tolerant but will benefit from consistent moisture, especially during dry periods.
• Q: How long until my common elderberry bush produces berries? A: Elderberries can start producing flowers and berries within 1-2 years of planting, with production increasing as the plant matures.
• Q: Is the common elderberry bush considered pet-safe? A: The ripe berries and flowers of the common elderberry bush are considered safe. However, other parts of the plant and unripe berries contain compounds that can be toxic if ingested by pets or children.