Sambucus racemosa (Red Elderberry, European Red Alder, Red Berried Elder)

Michael's Opinion

A medium to large shrub with clusters of nice yellow-white spring flowers followed by bright red berry-like summer fruit. Grows in most conditions, but prefers moist soils. A good shrub for naturalized areas to provide food and shelter to native birds. The leaves give off an unpleasant smell that can repel annoying insects. All parts of the plant are toxic, and stems used as pea shooters have resulted in poisonings.

Botanical Information

FamilyAdoxaceae (Caprifoliaceae)
GenusSambucus
Speciesracemosa
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (deciduous)
ReferencesSome nurseries and garden centres but straight species generally a native woodland plant.
OriginEurope, west Asia and North America.
Pronunciation

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone4-9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone5-10
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness Zone H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-34 - (-7)
Temperature (°F)-30 - (-7)
Height3.5 m - 6 m
Spread3.5 m
GrowthMedium
Flowering PeriodApril, May, June

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionA medium to large shrub with attractive flowers and fruit.
ID CharacteristicNumerous branches, easily broken with yellow-white flowers in pyramidal clusters followed by red berries. Leaves are pinnately compound, leaflets often uneven at base. Crushed leaves have unpleasant smell.
ShapeErect, much branching shrub, clump forming.
LandscapeNaturalized areas, informal hedges, massing. Berries are attractive to birds. Some Cultivars- ‘Pulmosa Aurea’ and ‘Tenuifolia’ are grown for their appealing foliage.
PropagationSoftwood cuttings in summer or hardwood cuttings in autumn that are planted in a sheltered border until spring then moved to a permanent location.
CultivationGrows in most conditions, but can look untidy in winter. An accent to a naturalized setting.
PestsElder borer: Wing covers orange at base and iridescent steel blue at tips. Long jointed antennae look like horns. Bores into stems. Also potential for powdery mildew, canker and leaf spot.
HabitatOpen woods, sub-alpine meadows, clay to sandy upland sites, wet organic sites.
Bark/Stem DescriptionNewer branches yellowish-brown and smooth, maturing to greyish-brown, thick and warty.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionSpring buds in opposite arrangement.
Leaf DescriptionPinnately compound with 5-7 leaflets, ovate, pointed at tip, often uneven at base. 5-13 cm long, 2.5-5 cm wide. Upper surface green and smooth, underside pale and hairy. Margins sharply toothed. Petioles 2.5-5 cm long. Crushed leaves give off an unpleasant odour.
Flower DescriptionYellow-white, 3-6 mm wide with 5 petals. Numerous in elongated pyramidal panicles 5-13 cm long. April- June depending on zone.
Fruit DescriptionRed and berry-like, 4-6 mm long. Smooth, 3 seeded. Grow in upright clusters. Contain a purgative alkaloid, Sambucine. Berries must be seeded and cooked to be edible, otherwise toxic to humans. Enjoyed by birds.
Colour DescriptionGreen leaves. Yellow-white flowers in spring, Red fruit in Summer. Golden foliage in autumn.
Texture DescriptionBrittle stems, warty when mature.

Photographs