SAMBUCUS PUBENS / SCARLET ELDERBERRY

SAMBUCUS PUBENS / AMERICAN RED ELDER

A Native Shrub with Attractive Flowers, Edible Berries, and Wildlife Value

Sambucus pubens, commonly known as American Red Elder, is a native deciduous shrub valued for its flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers, bright red berries, and ecological benefits. Thriving in full sun to partial shade with well-drained to moist soils, American Red Elder is ideal for naturalized landscapes, wildlife gardens, and native plantings. Its showy fruit and flowers make it a visually appealing and ecologically important shrub.

Why Choose American Red Elder?

Showy White Flowers: Flat-topped clusters attract pollinators in early summer.
Edible Fruit: Produces bright red berries that are edible when cooked.
Wildlife Friendly: Flowers and berries support bees, butterflies, birds, and small mammals.
Adaptable & Hardy: Tolerates a variety of soil types and light conditions.

Key Features:

Foliage Color: Medium green, pinnately compound leaves; yellow to red in fall.
Flower Color: Creamy white flower clusters in early summer.
Fruit: Bright red berries in late summer to fall.
Height and Spread: Typically grows 6–12 feet tall and wide.
Hardiness: Hardy to USDA Zones 3–8.
Sunlight: Prefers full sun to partial shade.
Soil Requirements: Moist to well-drained soils; tolerates clay, loam, or sandy soils.

Specifications:

Plant Size: 6–12 feet tall, 6–12 feet wide.
Growth Habit: Upright, multi-stemmed deciduous shrub.
Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8.
Flowering/Fruiting: Flowers in early summer; red berries in late summer to fall.
Fall Interest: Leaves turn yellow to red in autumn.

Ideal Uses:

Pollinator Gardens: Attracts bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects.
Wildlife Plantings: Provides berries and shelter for birds and small mammals.
Naturalized Landscapes: Works well along woodland edges, meadows, and restoration areas.
Edible Landscaping: Berries can be used for jams, jellies, and preserves after cooking.

American Red Elder is a beautiful and ecologically valuable native shrub. Its showy flowers, bright red berries, and wildlife benefits make it an excellent choice for naturalized landscapes, pollinator gardens, and native plantings.