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Blue Elderberry

Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea

tree View on Calscape

Care

Sun

full sun, part shade

Water

low

Soil

moist, well-drained; tolerates seasonal flooding

Size

15–30ft tall , 10–20ft wide

Bloom

Apr-Jun · creamy white

Foliage

Deciduous

Deer

Resistant

Fragrant

Yes

Flowers

Prized

Edible

Berries cooked for jams, syrups, and elderberry beverages

Native Range

Throughout California below 10000 ft

Large flat-topped clusters of tiny fragrant flowers

Berries edible when cooked; fast growing; elderberry longhorn beetle is federally listed

Care Guide

Planting

Plant your blue elderberry in full sun or part shade in well-drained soil that can tolerate seasonal moisture - it's adaptable to most soil types in the Bay Area. Fall through early spring is ideal for planting. Space it with room to grow; this plant will reach 15–30 feet, so give it at least 10–15 feet of clearance from structures. It tolerates seasonal flooding and can handle both moist and drier conditions once established.

After Planting

Water weekly during your first summer to establish a strong root system, then transition to once or twice monthly during summer as it matures. This fast grower can shoot up to 15 feet in three years, so prune in late winter or early spring to promote branching and prevent a loose, rangy form - the more you prune, the bushier it gets. The biggest mistake is overwatering once it's established; after year one, this tree actually prefers drier summers and only needs supplemental water in extreme heat. It will drop all its leaves in winter (it's deciduous) and return reliably in spring.

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