Elder - Sambucus

Sambucus (elderberry) is a hardy, fast-growing shrub ideal for Southwestern Ontario gardens. Native Sambucus canadensis and cultivars like 'Black Lace' thrive in full sun to part shade and prefer moist, fertile, well-drained soil—they're perfect for rain gardens and low-lying areas. Plant in early spring at the same depth as the container, spacing 1–2 meters apart. For better fruit production, plant two or more different cultivars together. Keep soil consistently moist with about 2.5 cm (1 inch) of water weekly during bloom and berry development. Apply 5–7 cm (2–3 inches) of organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Prune in late winter or early spring while dormant. Leave young plants unpruned for the first two years. On mature plants, remove dead or weak canes and cut out canes older than 3 years to encourage productive new growth. Elderberries can be rejuvenated by cutting to the ground every few years—they grow rapidly, often reaching 2+ meters in a single season. Berries ripen mid-August through mid-September. Birds love them, so net the shrub if you want to harvest the fruit. Never eat berries raw; they must be cooked to neutralize toxins. Apply balanced, all-purpose fertilizer in early spring after the first year.