shrub

Red elderberry

Sambucus racemosa

Updated 8 Jul 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) — a shrub, for Full sun, Medium water.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Sunlightmoderate to high
Watermoderate

↑ Gives back

Biomassmedium to high
Berriesedible for wildlife, some human consumption

Through the year

Emergence

New growth emerges after the last spring frost and consistent mild temperatures.

Flowering

Flowers appear in late spring to early summer, typically 4-6 weeks after emergence.

Fruiting

Berries develop and ripen through mid to late summer, following flowering.

Senescence

Leaves begin to yellow and drop with the first autumn frosts and shortening days.

Dormancy

The plant enters dormancy after leaf senescence, lasting through winter.

Timing is relative to your local season (temperate Northern Hemisphere).

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained-to-moist
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalYes
Accumulatescalcium, potassium
Soil textureloam, sandy_loam, clay_loam
Organic matterHigh
Compaction toleranceMedium

Propagation

Methodsseeds, cuttings, division
Difficulty2 / 5
Establishes in~2 yr
Stratificationcold_moist
Self-seedingModerate
Divisionautumn

Wildlife & pests

Attractspollinators, birds, mammals
Can host pestsaphids, elderberry_borer
Can host diseasespowdery_mildew, cankers