American Elderberry Plant – 1 Small Plant

Sold as 1 single small American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis’Aurea’) plant, grown from cuttings.

The American elderberry plant(Sambucus nigra ssp canadensis), is a species native to a large area of North America east of the Rocky Mountains, and south through eastern Mexico and Central America to Panama. It can grow in a variety of conditions including both wet and dry soils, primarily in sunny locations.

It is also known as golden elder, the pie elder, American elder, elder-blow, sweet elder or just elderberry. When grown in full sun, the leaves of mature plants take on a light green golden color. When grown in shade or partial shade, the leaves tend to be a darker green. Each spring the plant is covered with clusters of tiny white flowers that are followed by purplish-black fruit. The flowers and fruit have applications in alternative medicine, though its sibling (common elderberry, or Sambucus nigra) is the species that is usually used for healing.

American elderberry shrubs are 10 to 15 feet tall and wide, growing into a rounded shape. They’re an excellent addition to a wildlife garden since birds love to eat the fruit. Its flowers will also attract butterflies.

American Elderberry Culinary Uses

• You need to cook elderberry fruit before eating or it can be poisonous.
• The fruit is purplish-black drupes and can be used in jams, jellies, and preserves.
• You can make other recipes like elderberry tincture, elderflower champagne, elderflower cream, and elderflower vinaigrette.
• Harvest when the fruit is soft and dark purple in color.

American Elderberry Benefits

• American Elderberry has a long history in North America as a medicinal plant.
• It has been used for many things including improving heart health, and for treating coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections, and tonsillitis.
• Elderberry is very high in vitamin C, antioxidants, and has very high immune boosting properties.
• Flowers, leaves, and berries are used for medicine.

Growing and Maintaining American Elderberry Plant

• Elderberry shrubs need full sun exposure to partial shade.
• Elderberry is a good choice if you have a location that tends to be moist or wet, but the site should also drain well to discourage root rot. It can however also grow in dry soil.
• Elderberry shrubs are able to handle a pH range from acidic to alkaline, but do best in slightly acidic soil.
• Before planting Elderberry shrubs out, amend the soil with compost. Then, fertilize annually with additional compost in the springtime.
• The elderberry is a nitrogen-loving plant that appreciates lots of organic material and compost.
• Elderberry plants can be successfully grown in large containers and will still set fruit if grown in a container.