Home / Guides / Plant Files / Adoxaceae

Elderberry, Black Elder, European Elder, Bourtree 'Ina'

Sambucusnigra

Upload Image Print Article
Upload Image Print Article
Family
Adoxaceae (a-dox-AY-see-ee)
Info
Genus
Sambucus (sam-BYOO-kus)
Info
Species
nigra (NY-gruh)
Info
Synonym
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Spacing
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
20-30 ft. (6-9 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color
White/Near White
Cream/Tan
Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer
Other Details
Category
Shrubs
Trees
Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Very high moisture needs; suitable for bogs and water gardens
Foliage Color

Unknown - Tell us

Where to Grow

Unknown - Tell us

Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant
Bloom Size

Unknown - Tell us

Other details

Unknown - Tell us

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
8.6 to 9.0 (strongly alkaline)
Patent Information

Unknown - Tell us

Propagation Methods
From softwood cuttings
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From hardwood cuttings
From hardwood heel cuttings
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse
From seed; germinate in a damp paper towel
From seed; germinate in vitro in gelatin, agar or other medium
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Regional
View this plant in a garden
One member has or wants this plant for trade

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

Post Comment
0
positive
1
neutral
0
negative
Sort By:
Post Comment
Sort By:
P
P
philomel
(Zone 8a) | October 2004 | neutral

This is one of a series of Elders bred in Romania in the 1950s for vitamin production and the food industry

Popular Plants
SEE ALL
Iris
Peppers
Hydrangeas
Hostas
Contribute to Dave’s Garden
Add a New Plant to the List
Featured
BUG FILES
Yellow-bellied Bee Assassin
(Apiomerus flaviventris)
BIRD FILES
Madagascar Hoopoe
(Upupa marginata)
Quick Links
View All Families
View All Genera
View All Species
Freeze/Frost Dates
PlantFiles FAQ
Plants with no Photos
Contribute to Dave’s Garden
Add a New Plant to the List
Featured
BUG FILES
Yellow-bellied Bee Assassin
(Apiomerus flaviventris)
BIRD FILES
Madagascar Hoopoe
(Upupa marginata)