Known to be toxic - Toxic to mammals if ingested.
Plant Names
Sambucus racemosa
Red Elderberry
Sureau à grappes
Synonyms
coastal red elderberry
European red elder
European red elderberry
Pacific coast red elder
red-berried elder
red-berried elder
scarlet elderberry
sureau rouge
Plant Characteristics
Bloom Colour: White
Bloom Period: May - Jun
Max Height: 12.0 feet
Max Width: 10.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light Condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Spreads by rhizome
Self-seeding
Spreads by rhizome
Self-seeding
Landscape Uses:
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Can be used as a hedge
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Can be used as a hedge
Ecological Benefits:
Supports hummingbirds
Supports birds
Supports pollinators
Supports hummingbirds
Supports birds
Supports pollinators
Tolerates:
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
Seed and plant distribution status
No seeds available for this plant.
We are not accepting seeds for this plant at the moment.
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Distribution according to VASCAN
Ephemeral
Native
Introduced
Excluded
Extirpated
Doubtful
Absent
Canadensis
Thrives in Ecozones
- Taiga Plains
- Atlantic Maritime
- Taiga Shield
- Boreal Plains
- Montane Cordillera
- Boreal Shield
- Boreal Cordillera
- Pacific Maritime
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Sambucus racemosa
- Melanchra adjuncta (Hitched Arches)
Specialized Bees Supported by Sambucus racemosa
No bee data available for this plant.
Complementary Plants
- No complementary plants found.
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Sorbaria sorbifolia (False spirea)
- Hydrangea (Hydrangea)
- Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush)
- Astilbe (Astilbe)
- Melilotus albus (Sweet White Clover)
Sowing Information
Download Seed Envelope Labels (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Surface sow
- Sow anytime
- Stratification duration: 0 days
- Self-seeding
- Notes: 1.Warm moist stratify 3-4m. 2.Cold moist stratify 3m. 3. Warm moist stratify again.
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: June
- Harvesting indicator:
- Berries are ripen and easily fall off or have fallen off
- Harvesting:
- Squeeze berries to extract seeds, wash with soapy water, rinse throroughly
- 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
- Shake seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- Cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
Toxic to mammals if ingested.