American Elderberry plant profile
Sambucus canadensis
A perennial fruit for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant American Elderberry
NC State Extension describes American elderberry as a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub that spreads by root suckers and blooms on second-year wood. No planting date is given, so set out dormant plants in early spring, and note the raw fruit and foliage are toxic until the berries are cooked.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open American Elderberry in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6 to 8
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 72 to 144 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 4a to 8bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: toxic raw fruit and foliage, root suckers form thickets, borers, weak wood.
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Sambucus canadensis (American Elderberry, Common Elderberry)
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.