General Culture:
Grow in average, medium to wet, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Prefers moist, humusy soils. Spreads by root suckers to form colonies. Prune out dead or weakened stems in early spring.
Noteworthy Characteristics:
American elderberry is a stoloniferous, Missouri native, deciduous shrub which typically grows 5-12' tall and occurs on streambanks, moist woodlands, thickets, fence rows and roadsides throughout the State. Large, terminal, flat-topped clusters of small, fragrant, white flowers appear in spring and are followed by clusters of dark purple to black, berry-like fruits (drupes) in late summer to fall. Fruit may be used to make preserves, jellies, pies and wine. Fruit is also attractive to wildlife. Pinnately compound bright green leaves (5-11 leaflets each).
Problems:
Some susceptibility to canker, powdery mildew, leaf spot, borers, spider mites and aphids.
Uses:
Perhaps best when massed in naturalized areas where suckering spread is acceptable. Also effective in shrub borders, roadside plantings, wet or low areas, as a screen or as part of a native plant garden.
© Missouri Botanical
Garden, 2001-2010
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