Botanical Name: Sambucus caerulea
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Common Name: Blue Elderberry  
Plant photo of: Sambucus caerulea
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Water Saving Tip:

Replace turf with groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. If you have areas where no one uses the grass, patches that do not grow well, or a turf area too small to water without runoff, consider replacing the turf with water-efficient landscaping.

  • Anatomy

  • Culture

  • Design

Plant Type

Shrub, Herb

 

Height Range

6-12'

 

Flower Color

White

 

Flower Season

Spring, Summer

 

Leaf Color

Light Green

 

Bark Color

Brown

 

Fruit Color

Black, Blue

 

Fruit Season

Summer, Fall

Sun

Full

 

Water

Medium

 

Growth Rate

Moderate

 

Soil Type

Clay, Loam, Rocky

 

Soil Condition

Average, Rich, Poor, Well-drained

 

Soil pH

Neutral, Basic

 

Adverse Factors

Attracts Bees, Messy

Design Styles

Meadow, Mediterranean, Ranch, Spanish, Woodland

 

Accenting Features

Showy Flowers

 

Seasonal Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall

 

Location Uses

Background, Shrub Border, Foundation

 

Special Uses

Erosion Control, Naturalizing

 

Attracts Wildlife

Birds, Wildlife

Information by: Stephanie Duer
Photographer:

  • Description

  • Notes

Blue elderberry is a large, semi-riparian, multi-stemmed shrub found in our stream corridors, growing 6 to 10 feet tall and 5 to 8 feet wide. Foliage is pinnately compounded, and a medium green, with yellow fall color. It has attractive clusters of white flowers (April thru July), followed by clusters of small blue-black edible fruit. Berries are used to make wine, jellies, jams, and pies. Excellent food for wildlife and birds. A Utah native.
Grow in sun to part shade, in rich, well-drained soil. Clay loam or gravelly-loam soils are ideal. Requires regular irrigation and occasional renovative pruning (see Guide for pruning tips). It is not well suited for dry landscapes, but is still a great selection for a moderate-water landscape or inclusion in an edible garden.