The Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), also known as the Scarlet Mountain Elder or Bunchberry, is a native shrub known for its striking red berries, vibrant flowers, and attractive foliage. This hardy plant thrives in a variety of conditions, making it a versatile addition to your garden. The Red Elderberry grows quickly and produces beautiful clusters of white or cream-colored flowers in the spring, followed by bright red, ornamental berries in late summer. Although the berries are generally not eaten raw due to their bitter taste, they can be cooked and made into jellies, syrups, and wines. With its ability to thrive in both sunny and partially shaded locations, this shrub is perfect for naturalizing, wildlife gardens, or adding a pop of color to your landscape.

Key Features:

• Attractive Foliage and Flowers: Red Elderberry boasts lovely green, pinnately compound leaves and clusters of fragrant white or cream-colored flowers in spring.
• Striking Red Berries: After flowering, this shrub produces clusters of bright red berries, adding a splash of color to your garden in late summer.
• Wildlife-Friendly: The berries are a food source for birds and other wildlife, attracting pollinators and supporting local ecosystems.
• Low Maintenance: Red Elderberry is a hardy and easy-to-grow shrub that requires minimal care once established.
• Edible Berries (Cooked): While raw berries are not typically eaten due to bitterness and slight toxicity, they can be cooked to make jellies, syrups, or even wine.
• Versatile Landscaping: Ideal for naturalizing, hedgerows, or as an ornamental shrub in wildlife or native plant gardens.

Growing Information:

Light:
Red Elderberry thrives in full sun to partial shade. In shadier areas, it may produce fewer flowers and berries, but it will still grow well. For maximum fruit production and vibrancy, plant in a location with ample sunlight.

Soil:
This shrub prefers moist, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 5.5 to 7.0). It tolerates a variety of soil types, including clay, loamy, and sandy soils, but it will perform best with consistently moist, rich soil.

Planting Tips:
Sow seeds in early spring after the last frost or in fall. Start seeds indoors by placing them in seed trays or pots and covering them lightly with soil. Maintain moderate moisture during germination. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them into your garden, spacing them 3-5 feet apart to allow for growth. Red Elderberry can also be propagated from cuttings.

Watering:
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during dry spells. Red Elderberry is relatively drought-tolerant once established, but it will thrive with regular watering during its first growing season.

Temperature:
Hardy in USDA zones 3-7, Red Elderberry can tolerate cold winters and is a great choice for regions with cold or temperate climates.

Pruning:
Prune the plant in late winter or early spring to remove dead or damaged wood. Regular pruning helps maintain the shrub’s shape and encourages healthier growth. It’s important to remove spent flowers to prevent self-seeding and maintain tidy growth.

Benefits:

• Attractive Landscaping: Red Elderberry's clusters of bright red berries, fragrant flowers, and attractive foliage make it an eye-catching addition to any garden.
• Wildlife-Friendly: The berries provide food for birds, making it a valuable plant in wildlife gardens. It also supports pollinators with its flowers.
• Edible Berries: While raw berries are not typically consumed, they can be cooked into jellies, syrups, or wine, allowing gardeners to create their own homemade treats.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, Red Elderberry requires minimal care, making it an ideal shrub for gardeners who want an attractive, low-maintenance plant.
• Soil and Drought Tolerant: It is adaptable to various soil conditions and can tolerate periods of drought once fully established.

Growing Zones:
Red Elderberry is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 3-7. It thrives in regions with cold winters and moderate to cool summers, making it perfect for northern gardens and temperate climates.

How to Use in the Garden:

• Wildlife Gardens: The berries are a great food source for birds and wildlife, making this shrub a fantastic addition to a wildlife-friendly garden.
• Hedgerows and Borders: Plant Red Elderberry in rows to create a natural, informal hedge that will attract birds and pollinators.
• Shade Gardens: This shrub is an excellent choice for shaded or partially shaded garden areas where it will add interest and color with its foliage, flowers, and berries.
• Mixed Plantings: Combine Red Elderberry with other native plants, shrubs, and perennials for a diverse, wildlife-friendly landscape that supports local ecosystems.
• Naturalized Areas: Red Elderberry is perfect for naturalizing in woodland gardens or along the edges of forests, as it thrives in the wild and provides food for local wildlife.

Conclusion:
The Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) is a hardy, low-maintenance shrub that offers both beauty and utility. Its vibrant flowers, striking red berries, and adaptability make it an excellent choice for a variety of garden settings, from wildlife-friendly areas to ornamental borders. Whether you are looking to support local wildlife or add a splash of color and interest to your landscape, the Red Elderberry is a valuable plant that requires minimal care while providing year-round appeal. With its edible berries, this shrub is also a wonderful addition for gardeners who enjoy creating homemade jams, syrups, or wine.