The American elderberry shrub is a versatile landscape plant prized for its showy spring flowers, summer fruits, and fall foliage. With proper care, elderberries can produce an abundant edible berry harvest for years to come. However, to maximize growth, yields, and ornamental impact, it’s important to select and maintain your American elderberry at the right size for your needs.
Typical Mature Size of American Elderberries
Given adequate growing conditions, a mature American elderberry shrub can reach impressive proportions, potentially growing 10-15 feet tall and 5-8 feet wide at full size Growth rates up to 5 feet per year are possible in ideal conditions
Most American elderberry varieties are classified as fast-growing, large deciduous shrubs. They have an naturally upright, multi-stemmed form with arching branches that gives them a rounded appearance when mature.
However, through proper pruning and care, the shrubs can be maintained at a more compact 6-10 foot height in home landscapes. Their width can also be controlled through regular thinning and shaping.
So while American elderberries have the potential for large stature, their size can be readily adapted to suit your specific needs.
Factors Affecting American Elderberry Growth
Several key factors affect the ultimate size and growth rate of American elderberry shrubs:
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Variety – Different cultivars have been selected for more compact growth such as ‘Johns’ and ‘Wyldewood’. These may max out around 6-8 feet rather than 10-15 feet.
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Rootstock – Using a semi-dwarfing rootstock can help restrict size. ‘York’ and ‘Adams’ rootstocks yield smaller plants.
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Growing Conditions – Ideal conditions promote faster, more vigorous growth. Less optimal sites will limit size.
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Pruning and Training – Regular pruning encourages compact, bushy growth vs tall, leggy stems.
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Intended Use – Shrubs grown for landscape screening can achieve full size, while harvestable berry shrubs are best kept smaller.
Soil preparation, fertilization, irrigation and protection from pests and diseases also support strong growth and larger plant size over time.
Choosing the Right Size for You
When selecting your American elderberry, consider your intended use along with your site conditions and maintenance commitment to determine the ideal size range:
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For hedgerows, choose the most vigorous, sturdy varieties suited to your region. Allow them to reach full mature height to maximize yields.
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For ornamental use, select more compact varieties suited to your space. Prune annually to maintain at 6-8 feet for best form.
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For urban gardens, dwarf varieties like ‘Johns’ are ideal. Maintain at 4-6 feet for easy harvest access.
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For patio containers, ‘Black Lace’ is a lightweight option. Prune often to keep within 2-4 feet.
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For wildlife plantings, fast-growing, large varieties create excellent habitat. Allow to grow naturalized with minimal care.
No matter which size you choose, proper planting, care and pruning will help your elderberry thrive and serve your needs for years to come.
Planting for Success
To give your American elderberry the best start, be sure to:
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Prepare soil thoroughly – incorporate compost and adjust pH.
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Space multiple plants 6-12 feet apart depending on mature size.
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Dig a wide planting hole and loosen roots before backfilling.
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Water deeply after planting and mulch around base.
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Stake tall varieties the first year to support root establishment.
Proper planting reduces transplant stress and promotes the most vigorous growth possible in your conditions.
Caring for Optimal Growth
Ongoing care tailored to your elderberry’s needs will maximize growth:
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Water regularly the first 2 years while establishing. Then supplement during droughts.
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Fertilize each spring with a balanced organic fertilizer.
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Apply 2-3 inches of mulch annually to retain moisture and nutrients.
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Prune in late winter, removing up to 30% of oldest branches.
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Protect from harsh winds and extreme cold in winter if needed.
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Monitor for pests and diseases. Treat organically at first signs.
Consistent, attentive care provides the foundation for your elderberry to reach its full size potential.
Managing Size Through Pruning
Once established, pruning is the primary method for managing elderberry shrub size:
When to Prune
- Prune in late winter before buds begin to swell and open. Avoid fall and early spring pruning.
What to Remove
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Thin oldest, tallest stems at ground level to encourage new growth.
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Remove crossing, damaged and diseased branches.
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Shorten lateral branches by 1/3 their length to encourage bushy form.
How Much to Prune
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Remove up to 30% of total growth when maintaining size and shape.
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Can prune up to 50% of very overgrown plants for rejuvenation.
Disinfecting Tools
- Sanitize pruning tools before each cut to prevent disease transmission.
With proper annual pruning, you can readily maintain your elderberry shrub at your desired height and spread year after year.
Coping With Overgrowth
If your elderberry shrub has become overly large and overgrown, rejuvenation pruning can get it back in shape:
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Cut the tallest stems down to 6-12 inches above ground in late winter.
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Remove smaller stems at ground level to thin out interior and open up form.
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Shorten remaining lateral branches by 1/3 their length.
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Remove up to 50% total wood to stimulate new, bushy regrowth.
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Fertilize and water well after drastic pruning to aid recovery.
It may take 2-3 seasons to regain ideal size and form, but diligent follow-up pruning will keep your revitalized elderberry in shape.
Know When Size Matters
When selecting and growing American elderberry shrubs, keep the ultimate mature size in mind and tailor your care to achieve your ideal. Be sure to give them enough room to reach their full potential, but use pruning to keep them in bounds for your specific needs. With the right variety choice, proper care and consistent pruning you can enjoy elderberries of all sizes for any landscape. Let them grow gracefully into their space to enhance your property for years to come.
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Why American Black Elderberry?
Famous in Europe and North Africa for a long time, black elderberries were once thought to ward off evil spirits and cure diseases. We don’t know about evil spirits, but in the U.S., black elderberries are recognized as a ‘superfruit” because of their multiple health benefits.
All parts of the elderberry are considered valuable healing plants in folk medicines. They help fight colds and flu, lower cholesterol, and reduce cancer risk.
Because of its multiple benefits, American Black Elderberry is sold in the form of powder, pill, juice, syrup, gummy, etc. The flowers are the mildest part of the plant and are prepared as tea to break dry fevers and stimulate perspiration.
Aside from medicine, Sambucus canadensis are used to make arrow shafts, combs, flute, dyes for basketry, and much more. Despite its many advantages, the plant is not palatable during all seasons and receives limited browsing in the spring as compared to late summer and fall.
Pollination: Self fruiting, however, larger yields can be expected with cross pollination of multiple varieties.
It is generally recommended to wait to fertilize a bare root plant until it has been established in the ground and is actively growing. This can vary depending on the type of plant and the growing conditions, but it is generally best to wait at least a few weeks to a few months after planting.
During the first year, you should focus on providing the plant with the right amount of water, sunlight and soil to help it become established. Once the plant has become established and is actively growing, you can begin to fertilize it.
You can use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer or one that is specifically formulated for the type of plant you have. Be sure to follow the instructions on the fertilizer package and apply it at the recommended rate.
It is also important to note that over-fertilizing can be harmful to plants, so its always best to error on the side of caution and start with a lower amount of fertilizer and increase as needed.
The following are some of the key specifications of Sambucus canadensis, also known as American elderberry:
- Size: Sambucus canadensis, also known as American elderberry, typically grows to be 6-12 feet tall and 6-12 feet wide.
- Foliage: The leaves are opposite, pinnate, and have 5-9 leaflets. They are dark green and slightly toothed.
- Flowers and fruit: The plant produces clusters of small white or pinkish flowers in the spring, which are followed by clusters of small black berries in the summer.
- Growth habit: American elderberry is a deciduous shrub that has a spreading habit.
- Sunlight: It prefers full sun to partial shade.
- Soil: The plant can tolerate a wide range of soil types, but prefers moist, well-draining soil.
- Hardiness: It is hardy in USDA zones 3-9.
- pH level: It is adaptable to a range of pH levels.
- Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to remove any dead or damaged wood and to control the size of the shrub.
- Pest and diseases: American elderberry is relatively disease and pest resistant, but can be susceptible to powdery mildew and insect pests such as aphids and spider mites.
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Our selection of bare root trees, shrubs, and plants includes a wide variety of fruit trees, berry bushes, perennial flowers, deciduous trees, evergreen trees, and more. We carry tree varieties and tree types that are perfect for every type of garden, whether youre looking for fast growing trees, drought-tolerant trees, cold-hardy trees, native trees, or exotic trees.
Our bare root trees are superior to potted trees because they are easy to plant and establish quickly, plus they are more cost-efficient. They are carefully selected and grown to ensure they are healthy, and ready to thrive in your garden.
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A++++
Posted by Raymond Sadler on 06/08/21 Arived in great shapw, well rooted
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American Elderberry Bush
Posted by Becky Bridwell on 04/26/21 My plants arrived in great shape! I went to their suggested website for planting directions! My plants are already putting on new shoots!!
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American Elderberry Bush (17 reviews) Write a Review $14.95 SKU: DG5531-BE Scientific Name: Sambucus canadensis Hardiness/Growing Zone: 3-9 Sun Exposure: Full to Partial Sun Growth Rate Per Year: 24 – 36 inches Average Mature He
Posted by C Roque on 04/26/21 Very Nice and already growing.
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Healthy plants.
Posted by Hilary Huskey on 02/27/20 The tree store is my favorite online shop for bareroot trees and shrubs. I’ve been buying native trees and shrubs to restore my property to its former glory. I’m shrinking the lawn, and the tree store helps me do this with healthy, affordable natives.
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Elderberry Plants
Posted by VALERIE RODGERS on 02/25/20 These were very healthy plants. I will be ordering more soon!
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Elderberry trees
Posted by Cindy on 01/30/20 Love them! They are soaking and I will plant them today in my orchard!
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High Quality
Posted by Aaron Robbins on 01/30/20 Very healthy when I received them. So far, the value has been tremendous.
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Love me Elderberry!
Posted by Keridan Moorman on 01/30/20 I cant explain how happy I am with my new elderberry bushes. I followed the directions and they are thriving beyond what I had expected.
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Knockout roots!
Posted by Diane Kistner on 01/20/20 Ive ordered bareroot elderberries before from another company, and they were essentially just twigs with hardly any roots. Not these! Imagine a big mans hand in a claw: thats how big these roots are. Very healthy. Of course, at the time of the year Ive received them, they are dormant and have no buds, but I expect these babies are going to really take off. Ill post later if they dont.
Health Benefits Of Elderberry AND How To Grow The BEST Elderberry Bushes!
FAQ
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