General Culture:

Best grown in medium to wet, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best fruit production in full sun and moist soil. Adapts to a wide range of soils, however, including dry ones. Respectable drought tolerance unlike some other species of Sambucus. Spreads by root suckers to form large colonies. Prune suckers as they appear unless naturalizing. Prune out dead or weakened stems and to shape in late winter.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

This species of elder, often commonly called blueberry elder or blue elder, is native to mountain areas in western North America. It is a deciduous tree or large multi-stemmed shrub which typically grows 15-30' (less frequently to 50') tall with a rounded crown. Compound pinnate, medium green leaves (5-7 leaflets each). Tiny yellowish-white flowers appear in large flattened cymes (to 8" across) in June. Flowers give way in late summer to clusters of edible, dark blue elderberry fruits. Fruits are covered with a white, waxy bloom (glaucous) as reflected by the fact that this species was formerly known as Sambucus glauca. Fruits are not palatable fresh off the plant, but can be quite tasty when cooked for use in sauces, jellies, pies and, of course, elderberry wine. Fruits are also quite attractive to wildlife. Native Americans reportedly bored out the soft pith from twigs to make flutes.

Problems:

Some susceptibility to canker, powdery mildew, leaf spot, borers, spider mites and aphids. Branches are susceptible to damage from high winds or from heavy snow/ice in winter.

Uses:

Shrub borders, screens or backgrounds. Particularly effective in wild/naturalized areas, open woodland gardens or wood margins where suckering spread is usually acceptable. Good shrub for stream/pond peripheries or low spots.

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