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American Elder

Botanical Name
Sambucus canadensis
Hardiness
Zones 3 to 9
Height
5 to 12 feet
Width
5 to 12 feet
Flowers
Early summer: white
Fruit
Purple-black berry-like drupes
Light
Full sun to part shade
Soil
Prefers moist soil
Planting & Care
  • Transplants easily
  • pH adaptable
  • Remove dead wood in spring
  • Prune to control size
Problems
Cankers, leaf spot, powdery mildew, borers
Varieties
  • Aurea - gold foliage, 10'
  • Variegata - leaves are margined in creamy yellow-white, provide afternoon shade to prevent scorch
  • Laciniata - deeply incised leaflets, 8'

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