American Elderberry, Sweet Elderberry

Sun Exposure: Full sun to light shade

Origin: Eastern North America from Nova Scotia to northern Mexico

Growth Habits: Deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub, up to 15 feet tall (4.5 m); pinnately compound leaves, 3 to 7 serrate leaflets, 2 to 6 inches long (5-15 cm)

Flowers: White or light yellow flowers

Watering Needs: Regular to little water when established

Propagation: Offset, seeds, cuttings

Sambucus mexicana, U.S.D.A. Forest Service, courtesy of the Hunt Institute

Blooming Habits:
Small white flowers, in flat top clusters, up to 10 inches in diameter (25 cm), in early summer.

Fruiting Habits:
The elderberry has purplish-black berries, 0.12 to 0.25 inch in diameter (3-6 mm). The fruits of the elderberry are very attractive to birds. They are also edible and can be used to make jelly or wine. Tea made with the dried flowers is supposed to be good for the cough.

Propagation:
Cuttings are easy. Seeds need stratification.