Blue Elderberry Scientific Name: Sambucus nigra ssp. Cerulean Family: Moschatel, Adoxaceae Plant Characteristics: Fast-growing, deciduous, leafy, 10-foot tall shrub to 20-foot tree, often with multiple trunks; leaves compound with 5-9 lance-shaped leaflets; large clusters of creamy flowers followed by blue-black berries. Deer palatable foliage. USDA Hardiness Zone: 6b-10b; cold hardy to -5° F. Bloom Period: Spring (March-May); fruit: September-October Growing Conditions: Performs best in full sun to part shade, tolerates full shade; rich, moist, well-draining soil; water 2x/month depending on conditions. Attracts: Bees, butterflies, pollinated by native flies; provides nesting, shelter, winter food for birds; larval host for up to 23 moth species. Notes: With ornate trunks, showy flowers, and an abundance of delectable fruit, this fast-growing small tree or shrub quickly becomes the rock star of a pollinator habitat garden. Large clusters of flowers delight numerous pollinators in the spring, and the berries are important food for many birds in the fall.

Native to stream sides, valleys, and forest openings, it likes periodic deep watering but is very drought-tolerant once established. It can be shaped as a shrub or an ornate tree with a single or multiple trunks. For a mix of color and texture, pair elderberry with toyon (red berries), currents, Oregon grape, or creek dogwood, or under-plant with California fuchsia, lilc verbena, or hummingbird sage. The ripe berries can be used for wine, jam, and pies. The more northern red elderberry, S. racemose , has red berries toxic to humans.