Shrub
Common elder
Sambucus nigra
A large deciduous shrub or small tree with creamy flowerheads and later black fruits that feed birds. Give the species room to grow; raw or unripe berries and green parts are harmful if eaten.
- Size
- 4–8 m high · 2.5–4 m wideVaries by cultivar
- Light
- Full sun / Partial shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Winter
- Hardy
- Seasonal form
- Deciduous
- Maintenance
- Moderate
Before planting
- Allow about 4–8 m in height and 2.5–4 m in width for a mature plant grown without hard pruning. Cultivars may be smaller; the species needs space.
- Choose sun or partial shade and humus-rich, moist, well-drained soil. It tolerates acidic to alkaline conditions; avoid persistent waterlogging.
- For better fruit set, a different compatible S. nigra cultivar flowering at the same time may help. A second plant does not guarantee a crop.
Why choose it
- Creamy flowerheads bring fragrance in early summer. The later black fruits provide food for birds.
- Its broad leafy crown suits mixed hedges and spacious garden boundaries. Leaves fall for winter, so it does not provide a year-round screen.
Care
- Water when the root zone dries during at least the first year. Once established, water mainly during prolonged drought; mulch helps retain moisture.
- Remove dead, weak or damaged stems and thin older growth if needed. Severe cutting back can reduce the following crop; retain flowering wood if fruit matters.
- Remove unwanted suckers and seedlings. Check for weak or damaged branches after strong wind or heavy snow.
Good to know
- Raw or unripe berries and green parts are harmful if eaten. Keep children and pets from eating them; identify the species reliably before any food use.
- Use only fully ripe berries, remove stalks and apply an appropriate heat process before eating. Do not use leaves, stems or unidentified elder plants as food.