In the landscape
Hedge · Naturalized · Butterfly · Edible · Rain
Data sources
Black Elderberry
Sambucus nigra · Shrub
Black Elderberry is a fast-growing shrub, hardy in USDA zones 5-8, that matures to about 8–20 ft × 8–20 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with high water needs in well-drained and moist soil. Expect cream and white blooms in spring and summer. It attracts butterflies and songbirds.
- USDA zones
- 5-8
- Sun
- Full sun, Part shade
- Water
- High
- Mature size
- 8–20 ft × 8–20 ft
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Maintenance
- High
- Soil
- Well-drained, Moist
- Bloom color
- Cream, White
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer
- Attracts
- Butterflies, Songbirds
- Toxic to
- People
- Native to
- Europe, northern Africa, southwestern Asia
Will it survive your winters?
We score Black Elderberry’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.
Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.
More plants for your zone: Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7 · Zone 8
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