American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis): Native Shrub for Berries and Blooms

American Elderberry: Edible Flowers and Berries for Syrup, Wine, and Wildlife

American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a large, deciduous native shrub producing flat-topped clusters of fragrant white flowers in early summer, followed by dark purple berries in late summer. Both flowers and ripe berries are edible and prized for culinary and medicinal uses.

Botanical Profile

Native to eastern North America, this multi-stemmed shrub reaches 6–12 feet tall and wide. The pinnately compound leaves have 5–11 leaflets. Flowers are self-fertile but cross-pollination increases yield. Raw berries contain cyanogenic glycosides; always cook before eating.

Uses and Cultivation

• Elderflower cordial, fritters, tea: Harvest fully open clusters.
• Elderberry syrup, jam, wine, pie: Cook ripe berries; strain seeds.
• Medicinal: Syrup used for cold/flu; flowers for diaphoretic tea.
• Wildlife: Birds love berries; flowers attract pollinators.

Grow in full sun to part shade, moist, well-drained soil. Tolerates wet sites. Prune in late winter to remove old wood. Plant two cultivars for better fruiting. Hardy in USDA zones 3–9.