Toxic Plant Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Image of Sambucus canadensis
image of Shrub
Sambucus canadensis
Common elderberry
Sureau blanc

Obsolete Names

  • American black elderberry
  • American elder
  • Canada elderberry
  • white elder
  • sirop blanc
  • sureau du Canada
No seeds available for this plant.

We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.

Bloom colour: White Bloom period: June - July
Max Height: 12.0 feet
Max Width: 12.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full sun More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Part shade More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan : Perennial
Gardener Experience:
Landscape uses:
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
shoreline_rehab Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
hedge Can be used as a hedge
Ecological Benefits:
Hummingbird friendly Supports hummingbirds
Bird friendly Supports birds
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
Tolerates:
Salt Tolerant Tolerates salt conditions
Deer Resistant Deer resistant
rabbit resistant Rabbit resistant
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation

Plant Distribution

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Sambucus canadensis
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Ecozone-Mixed Wood Plain
  • Ecozone-Boreal Shield
  • Ecozone-Boreal_Plains
  • Atlantic_Maritime

Butterflies Supported by Sambucus canadensis

  • Melanchra adjuncta (Hitched Arches)
  • Xestia smithii (Smith's Dart)

Bees Supported by Sambucus canadensis

No bee data available for this plant.

Complementary Plants Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

  • No complementary plants found.

Sowing Information

  • Sowing depth: Sow just below surface
  • Sow before November
  • Stratification duration: 180 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting Information

  • Harvesting indicator: Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
  • Harvesting mean: Put berries through strainer to separate seeds, then rinse with water
  • Seed Viability Test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging Measure: Six (6) seeds (eyeball)
  • Seed Storage: Air Dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • On Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity