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Woody > Sambucus > Sambucus canadensis > Sambucus canadensis

Sambucus canadensis


American Elder




Origin:  Nova Scotia and Manitoba to Florida and Texas. Introduced in 1761.
            Mike's Opinion

this is Mike

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A common landscape shrub, the American Elder is often used as filler in the borders. If left unpruned it may reach a height of some 3 m. Its large cymes of white flowers in early summer are followed by clusters of dark black berries, suitable for pies, jams and wines etc. Several cultivars enhance its appeal to the horticulturist and designer alike, ‘Sutherland Gold’ a yellow foliaged cultivar and ‘Nigrescens’ a black leafed cultivar are very useful, especially if coppiced annually to reduce their height.



Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)

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Family
Adoxaceae (Caprifoliaceae)
Genus
Sambucus
Species
canadensis
Category
Woody
Type
Shrub (deciduous)
Pronunciation
USDA Hardiness Zone
(3)4 - 9
Canadian Hardiness Zone
3
RHS Hardiness Zone
H7
Height
3 m
Spread
2.5 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
June
General Description
A fast growing shrub that flowers in June-July and does well in moist soils. It is excellent for naturalizing or roadside plantings. The flowers contain a volatile oil and are used to produce elderflower water for confectionery and cosmetics.
Landscape
Difficult to use in home landscape situations because of its unkempt habit. It does well in moist areas and partial shade. Its excellent for a naturalizing effect or roadside plantings.
Shape
Upright, rounded.
Growth
Fast
Pests
Borers, cankers, leaf spots and powdery mildew.
Flower/Leaf Bud Description
Multiple or solitary, few scaled, .2 cm long and brown in colour.
Leaf Description
Leaves are opposite, usually 7 leaflets, 5-16 cm long, short stalked, oblong, acuminate, slightly puberulous on the veins beneath and dark green in colour.
Flower Description
Appealing, visible between June and July and are white-yellow in colour. Borne in 5-rayed cymes, slightly convex, usually quite profuse and cover the entire plant.
Fruit Description
Berry-like drupe with multiple pyrenes and is good for jellies, pies, juice, wine and attracting birds.
Colour Description
Leaves are yellow-green in autumn and dark green in summer.
Texture Description
Medium in foliage and coarse in the winter.
Notable Specimens
The Cuddy Gardens, Strathroy, Ontario, Canada.
Propagation
Seed, 60 days at 20°C then 90 -150 days at 5°C in moist sand.
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