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Resources < Wildlife Habitats < Native Plants < Native Plant Database < Sambucus canadensis
Elderberry is a wonderful, boisterous large shrub suitable for moist edges where it can spread and sprawl unimpeded. Energetic and eager, it quickly grows to a height of 5 to 12 feet, sending out 11-inch leaves, 12-inch flower heads, and 10-inch fruit clusters along the way. In mid-summer the subtly fragrant, doily-like flowers appear. These are followed in late summer to early fall by red-stemmed clusters of juicy, purple-black, berry-like drupes. The berries are nothing if not abundant, and by the time they are ripe, the soft red stems sag under their weight.
Lucky thing there’s so much fruit; there needs to be, since it’s relished by no fewer than 50 species of birds. The long list of elderberry eaters includes bluebirds, robins, catbirds, yellow-breasted chats, brown thrashers, eastern king birds, blue jays, mockingbirds, veeries, cedar waxwings, indigo buntings, mourning doves, red-headed woodpeckers, and pileated woodpeckers. Humans are fond of the berries, too, but usually only in processed forms such as wines, jellies, and pies. The flowers are edible as well. Loose blossoms can be added to any pancake, muffin, or cake recipe, and whole flower clusters can be turned into fabulous fritters: Simply batter, deep fry, and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Caprifoliaceae (Honeysuckle Family)
Large deciduous shrub or small tree with dark green, pinnately compound leaves consisting of 5 to 11 leaflets. Creamy white flowers appear in early to mid-summer, borne in large, flat-topped heads. Large clusters of ¼", deep purple, berry-like drupes ripen in late summer to early fall.
5 to 12’ high and wide.
Usually a thicket-forming large shrub with an upright, irregular, broad-spreading form.
Fast.
Full sun to part shade.
Plants thrive in very moist, acid or alkaline soils but will tolerate drier conditions. Prune to rejuvenate.
Assets include showy platters of creamy white flowers in summer and red-stemmed clusters of small, juicy, dark purple fruits in late summer to early fall.
Plant in moist, naturalized areas at the edges of meadows and woodlands.
Berries are eaten by many songbirds, gamebirds, and small mammals. Flowers attract butterflies.
Found throughout Georgia near swamps, springs, and streams and in moist areas along the margins of woods and fields.
Softwood, semi-hardwood, and hardwood cuttings; division; stratified seed.
Text and photo by Leslie Kimel, Georgia Wildlife Federation
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Elderberry
