Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)

Red elderberry is a large, multi-stemmed shrub or small tree with many virtues. It is an attractive specimen in the garden, with large, pinnately compound leaves that give a lush tropical feel, showy pyramidal clusters of creamy white flowers in the spring, and even showier clusters of bright red berries in the summer. The flowers attract a host of pollinators, and the berries are an important food source for birds. As a fast grower, red elderberry is useful in restoration plantings and erosion control, and may be useful for revegetating mining sites, as it is tolerant of heavy metal contaminated soils. In the home landscape, red elderberry is excellent for hedgerows and creating backyard habitat for birds and pollinators.

Sun Exposure: Shade, partial shade, full sun
Soil & Moisture: Moist, humus-rich soil
Mature Size: 6'-20' tall and wide
Bloom Time: Spring
Edible: No
Wildlife Value: Attracts beneficial insects and pollinators including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Butterfly and moth host plant. Fruits eaten by wildlife. Provides cover and nesting sites. Stems used by cavity-nesting bees.
Native Range & Habitat: Coastal areas, riparian areas, forests, and wet meadows from low to high elevations. Native across much of the northern hemisphere, including coastal BC.
Other Names: Red-berried elder