Tysto · CC BY 2.5
American elderberry
Shrub·Sambucus canadensis
Full sun
Sun
Medium
Water
Moist soil
Drainage
Zones 3–10
Hardiness
American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a shrub. It grows best in full sun and has moderate water needs.
Through the year
DormantLeafing outFloweringFruitingDying back
Works well with
from wiki dataNo companions recorded.
WHAT IT NEEDS
Wants full sun
Needs moderate water
Tolerates moist soil, as long as it drains well
Prefers soil pH 6–6.5
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Prefers loam, sandy loam, clay loam soil
Tolerates some soil compaction
Draws up potassium, calcium from deep in the soil
Adds a moderate amount of organic matter to the soil
Partners with mycorrhizal fungi to boost nutrient uptake
WHAT IT GIVES
Gives shade (moderate)
Gives wind shelter (moderate)
Gives leaf litter (medium)
Gives organic matter (medium)
Gives pollinator services (high)
Gives habitat (high (for birds and small mammals))
Gives nectar (high)
Gives fruit (high)
Gives oxygen (medium)
Provides potassium
Provides calcium
Attracts pollinators
Shelters birds
Shelters mammals
HOW IT GROWS
SIZE & SPACING
Shrub layer
Height180–360 cm
Spacing240 cm (min 180 cm)
Root depthShallow
Width180–360 cm
Width figures are rough estimates, the most variable measurement in our data.
AI estimate · accuracy improves as growers contribute corrections.
HOW TO PROPAGATE
Propagate by cuttings, seed, division
Difficulty
Establishes in about 2 yr
Self-seeds readily on its own
Where this comes from
Parsed11 Sept 2026
ConfidenceNot recorded
Photograph Tysto · CC BY 2.5