Live, woody ORGANIC elderberry cuttings for rooting. 6-12 inches.
Elderberry or Sambucus canadensis is a deciduous shrub that produces graceful cymes or clusters of tiny white flowers and dark berries. It’s also known as common elderberry, black elderberry, common black elderberry, or American elderberry and is a member of the Adoxaceae or moschatel family.
While not all elderberries are, Sambucus canadensis or black elderberry is native to North America. Elderberry bushes are great fruit plants for native or pollinator gardens and thrive in areas that may be too wet for other fruit trees, such as along ditches and streams.
Elderberry flowers are both beautiful and edible! You can use them to make cordials, wines, syrups, and baked goods. Elderberries are also edible when fully ripe, and you can use them to make pies and jams, but they are very sour; you’ll need to add plenty of sugar. Herbalists also make a syrup from elderberries to treat coughs, colds, and flu.
How to Grow Elderberry
Elderberry cuttings are easy to root. Place your elderberry cuttings in jars of water with rooting hormone. Keep the jars filled with clean water and mist the cuttings occasionally for about two months. When your elderberry cuttings have formed good roots, it’s time to plant them out or into containers.
Elderberry plants thrive in moist areas with neutral to slightly acidic, humus soil. Watering your elderberry bush is critical while it’s getting established. If you’ve planted it in an area that doesn’t stay moist, you’ll also need to water your elderberry bush when the weather is hot and dry for it to thrive.
Elderberry plants take 2 to 3 years to start producing berries while they’re getting established.
- Perennial Shrub
- USDA Zone: 3-9
- Light: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Soil: Moist, Well-Drained
- Soil pH: 5.5 to 6.5
- Bloom Period: Summer
- Mature Size: 5–12 ft. tall, 3–6 ft. wide
- Medicinal
- Culinary
