How to Grow and Care for American Elderberry

American elderberry, also known as common elderberry or just elderberry, is a deciduous shrub with bright white flowers and small, dark drupe fruits or "berries" that are often made into jellies or baked into pies. These shrubs are beloved by pollinators. American elderberry grows best in full sunlight, moist but well-draining soil, and mild temperatures.

When planting, keep in mind that American elderberry can be toxic to people and pets.

American Elderberry Care

American elderberry is an easy-to-care-for shrub that can tolerate a variety of different growing conditions. Here are the main care requirements for an American elderberry:

• Choose a sunny spot, though American elderberry can handle partial shade as well.
• Prepare well-draining soil that retains some moisture and ideally leans slightly acidic.
• Water American elderberry regularly and protect it from drought.
• Fertilize lightly each spring using a balanced fertilizer.

Light

American elderberry can be grown in a variety of different sun locations, making it an ideal pick for nearly any spot in your yard or landscape. Though it can handle it all, it prefers a spot that boasts full sun or partial shade.

Soil

For the most successful bush, plant your American elderberry in a soil that is humusy and moist. That being said, the plant can tolerate a variety of soil conditions, but whatever you choose must be well-draining. A neutral-to-acidic pH level is recommended as well. When planting your American elderberry, choose a spot that isn't prone to standing water (the plants have shallow roots and can rot easily) and plant each shrub at least a few feet apart from one another to allow them to grow freely.

Water

When it comes to the American elderberry, drought is pretty much the one thing it cannot tolerate. Your elderberry will need around an inch or two of water weekly during its peak growth period or during times of extremely hot or dry weather. Remember, the plant's roots are very close to the surface, so if the top layer of soil is dry, it's a good indication that they are too. As long as you have well-draining soil, there is little risk in overwatering the American elderberry.

Temperature and Humidity

American elderberry isn't picky about its temperature conditions, given its wide range of hardiness zones. That being said, it's a plant that would much rather be cool and moist than hot and dry. Though it prefers temperate weather, it does not have any special humidity needs—but it loves rain!

Fertilizer

While fertilizing your American elderberry plant isn't totally necessary, it is a great way to ensure ample fruit growth. For starters, consider amending the soil you plant your bush in with manure or compost to increase its nutrient density. Beyond that, fertilizer your bush every spring with a 10-10-10 fertilizer mixture.

Types of American Elderberry

There are multiple cultivars of American elderberry available to grow:

• S. canadensis 'Aurea' is a shrub with yellow leaves and red fruit instead of black.
• S. canadensis 'Variegata' has unique foliage with variegation.
• S. canadensis 'Laciniata' offers lacy, dissected leaves.
• S. canadensis 'Adams No. 1,' 'Adams No. 2,' 'York,' and 'Johns' produce an abundance of large drupes and are cultivars most used if you're cooking the fruit.

Pruning

This shrub does tend to form a lot of suckers. This can be a beneficial characteristic if you're trying to populate a native garden inexpensively, for instance, but it can be annoying otherwise. It may even become invasive in some areas. Your local garden center should know if this is the case.

You can make the shrubs into a standard (small tree) form by choosing and developing a central leader. Otherwise, it is usually a multi-trunked shrub.

Plan on removing dead, damaged and diseased canes (flexible branches) at the start of spring. You should also remove canes that are over three years old since younger ones produce better and this pruning will encourage new growth. Pruning can also be used to make a shrub's appearance neater, as it can become a bit lanky.

Propagating American Elderberry

Elderberry can be propagated by taking cuttings and rooting them. While it's possible to start American elderberry from seed, a complicated stratification process is required, making cuttings the preferred method of propagation. Use rooting hormone, to protect them from bacteria and fungus.

1. Keep cuttings in a jar filled with clean water, for at least two months.
2. Refill the water as needed, mist occasionally
3. Once strong roots have grown, you can plant them directly into your garden.
4. Be sure to provide well-draining soil.

Potting and Repotting American Elderberry

Elderberries have shallow roots, making them perfect for container planting. It's best to pot in spring, in an oversized pot, at least 2 feet wide and 20 inches deep. Make sure it has drainage holes (or create your own using a drill). Use a rich potting soil, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. Mulch the surface with compost and water frequently so they never dry out.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

While there aren't too many problems that arise when growing American elderberry, you may end up dealing with familiar issues such as aphids, mealybug, elder shoot borer, and scale. Additionally, American elderberry can be susceptible to a variety of diseases, including canker, leaf spot, and powdery mildew. Weeds are actually the most dangerous risk to the plant—gone untreated, they can easily choke out its shallow roots. Clear the soil frequently of any weeds you notice encroaching on your elderberry shrubs.

How to Get American Elderberry to Bloom

In healthy conditions, American elderberry should bloom readily.

Bloom Months

American elderberry tends to bloom in late spring and early summer, usually in June and July, depending on where you are located.

What Do American Elderberry Flowers Look and Smell Like?

The small, white flowers on American elderberry trees have four or five petals and are only about a tenth of an inch wide. They emit a slightly sweet fragrance, and once pollinated, the flowers mature into signature elderberries, which are technically considered drupes, not berries.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Pruning old or dying limbs from American elderberry during its dormancy will encourage the plant to put out new growth, which will result in more blooms in the spring. Also, make sure your American elderberry is getting enough sunlight.