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Elderberry, Black Elder, European Elder, Bourtree 'Cae Rhos Lligwy'

Sambucusnigra

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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
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
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
Seed Collecting
Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Allow unblemished fruit to ripen; clean and dry seeds
Regional
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P
P
philomel
(Zone 8a) | October 2004 | neutral

This form of Elder has white fruits rather than the more usual purple. The birds tend to ignore the fruit, leaving a display for longer.

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