Red-berried Elder
Sambucus racemosa
Also known as Red Elderberry, Red Elder, American Red Elderberry
Climate Match for your location
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A deciduous shrub prized for its bright red berries that ripen in early summer and persist into fall. It produces fragrant white flower clusters in spring followed by ornamental fruit that attracts birds.
Why grow it
Red-berried elder differs from common black elder (Sambucus nigra) primarily in fruit color and ripening time, with red berries appearing several weeks earlier in summer. It functions well as an ornamental shrub in mixed plantings while also supporting wildlife, though it is less commonly used for culinary purposes than its black-fruited relatives. The early, persistent fruit display can extend the visual interest of a planting into fall.
Watch out for
This species spreads readily from seed dispersed by birds, so seedlings may appear in nearby garden beds or naturalized areas if not monitored. Growth can become dense and leggy without occasional pruning to maintain shape and air circulation within the canopy.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Viburnaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North America
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A deciduous shrub prized for its bright red berries that ripen in early summer and persist into fall. It produces fragrant white flower clusters in spring followed by ornamental fruit that attracts birds.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Red-berried Elder grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Red-berried elder differs from common black elder (Sambucus nigra) primarily in fruit color and ripening time, with red berries appearing several weeks earlier in summer. It functions well as an ornamental shrub in mixed plantings while also supporting wildlife, though it is less commonly used for culinary purposes than its black-fruited relatives. The early, persistent fruit display can extend the visual interest of a planting into fall.
Watch out for
This species spreads readily from seed dispersed by birds, so seedlings may appear in nearby garden beds or naturalized areas if not monitored. Growth can become dense and leggy without occasional pruning to maintain shape and air circulation within the canopy.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Viburnaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
North America
Native to: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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