American Elder, Common Elderberry
Sambucuscanadensis 'Maxima'

Family: Adoxaceae (a-dox-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Sambucus (sam-BYOO-kus)
Species: canadensis (ka-na-DEN-sis)
Cultivar: Maxima

Synonym:Sambucus nigra subsp. canadensis

Category
Edible Fruits and Nuts
Shrubs

Water Requirements
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Sun to Partial Shade
Light Shade
Partial to Full Shade
Full Shade

Foliage
Grown for foliage

Foliage Color

Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)
12-15 ft. (3.6-4.7 m)

Spacing
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
10-12 ft. (3-3.6 m)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
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)

Where to Grow

Danger
Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color
White/Near White

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

Bloom Size

Bloom Time
Late Spring/Early Summer
Mid Summer

Other details

Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information

Propagation Methods
From semi-hardwood cuttings
By simple layering
By serpentine layering
By stooling or mound layering

Seed Collecting
Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed