Elderberry Bushes

Uses:

  • Specimen or Focal Point
  • Container Gardens
  • Garden Borders

Features:

  • Unique Delicate Foliage
  • Attracts Butterflies & Bees
  • Can Produce Edible Berries

Sunlight:

  • Partial Sun to Full Sun
  • 5+ Hours of Direct Sun

Growing Zones:

Elderberry shrubs are an ornamental shrub that can produce elderberries if cross-pollinated with another bush. These are often grown as just ornamental though, with delicate textured leaves that are very unique, along with beautiful flowers in the spring that contrast with the unique foliage.

Why Buy Elderberry Shrubs Online?

Elderberry are a genus of flowering shrubs called Sambucus in the Adoxaceae family. Also commonly called elder. The plants have delicate serrated leaves similar to a japanese maple but in a wide range of colors from black to lime green. The bushes bloom in late spring, with large groups of small flowers that are cream white or sometimes pink. The flowers are followed by berries that are often black, dark blue or red. The berries are edible and have many uses once cooked. However, the rest of the plant is poisonous along with the berries when raw.

The Best Way To Use Elderberry

Most elderberry shrubs are winter hardy in growing zones 4 to 7. The plants can grow from 3 to 12 feet tall and wide. The growth habit is typically mounded, however we do offer an upright version as well. The plants prefer well drained soil. Plant in a location with partial sun to full sunlight conditions. 

Use elderberry as an ornamental shrub and a focal point in the garden. These are also great in mass plantings. Typically, you will need to plant more than 1 for these to produce berries as the plants will need to cross pollinate. The plants are also great for wildlife as they produce blooms and berries needed for pollinators like bees as well as berries for birds. 

Elderberry Companion Plants

Plants that go well with elderberry are smaller shade loving plants that can grow underneath these large shrubs or other berry producing plants for wildlife. Some of our favorite plants to grow with elderberry are phlox, bee balm, winterberry and blueberry shrubs. Try and plant the other plants at the same time as the elderberry, because these shrubs do not like their roots to be disturbed once established.