Sambucus canadensis L. 

Sun Requirement: Full Sun/Full Shade

Height:  9-10 ft.

Width: 8 ft.

Planting Zone: 3

 American Elderberry is edible right as it is picked, as a contrast to Black lace, which has to be cooked before consumption.

Sambucus canadensis, commonly called American elder, is native to eastern North America. It is a deciduous, somewhat sprawling, suckering shrub that typically grows to 5-12’ tall. It typically occurs on streambanks, moist woodlands, thickets, fence rows and roadsides throughout the State of Missouri. Tiny lemon-scented white flowers appear in large flat-topped clusters (cymes to 10” across) in June. Flowers give way to clusters of black elderberry fruits (drupes) in late summer. Fruits of species plants are sometimes used to make jams, jellies, pie filings and elderberry wine. Fruits are attractive to wildlife. American elder (Sambucus canadensis) and European elder (Sambucus nigra) are closely related plants. Some authorities consider this plant to be a subspecies or variety of Sambucus nigra instead of a separate species.