What they do
Elderberries provide clusters of small flowers that many pollinators can use, then add berries and shelter value in a shrub planting.
Plant profile
Elderberries
Genus Sambucus
Elderberries (genus Sambucus) are flowering shrubs that offer big clusters of blooms for pollinators and later berries for wildlife. They’re a great choice for naturalized edges, rain-garden style spots, and mixed shrub borders where you want a plant that does a lot without being fussy.
Plant Type
Shrubs > Elderberries
Aliases
Elderberry
Native Range
Varies by species; the genus Sambucus includes species native to parts of North America and other regions.
Bloom window
Late spring to summer (varies by species and local conditions)
OVERVIEW
About This Plant
Elderberries (genus Sambucus) are foundational shrubs, ideal for creating a layered habitat edge or naturalized thicket. They are especially useful in moist soils or rain-garden style spots, providing significant structure and height.
The plant’s ecological value is high: its broad, flat clusters of small flowers provide accessible nectar and pollen for a wide range of native insects in spring/early summer. Following the bloom, the resulting berries become a critical food source for local birds and other wildlife, bridging the seasons. For success, site elderberries where they have room to form a thicket, ensure soil retains moisture, and avoid using systemic pesticides.
Best role for pollinators
Pollinator-friendly shrub borders, naturalized edges, and gardens with average to moist soil
FAST FACTS
Quick Details
Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Elderberry |
| Bloom window | Late spring to summer (varies by species and local conditions) |
| Typical height | Medium to tall shrub (varies by species and pruning) |
| Pollinators supported | Bees, Flies, Beetles, Wasps, Butterflies |
| Light & moisture | Sun to part shade; average to moist soil |
| Best roles for pollinators | Pollinator-friendly shrub borders, naturalized edges, and gardens with average to moist soil |
SUMMARY
If You Remember Three Things
A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.
What they need
Give them sun to part shade and soil that doesn’t stay bone-dry; water while establishing and mulch to keep roots cool.
One best action
Plant elderberries where they can get consistent moisture, especially in their first year.
IMPACT
Why Plant This?
Elderberries are a practical way to add pollinator-friendly blooms and shrub structure in one plant, especially in gardens that aren’t dry.
Those flat-topped flower clusters act like a “landing pad,” letting small insects move from bloom to bloom without much effort.
Key Impacts
What it Supports
- Wide flower clusters make it easier for a variety of pollinators to feed.
- Shrubs add height and structure, helping a garden feel more like a habitat.
- A single shrub can support many visits during peak bloom.
RECOGNITION
Identification Guide
Look for a multi-stem shrub with broad clusters of tiny flowers, followed by hanging berry clusters later in the season.
Leaves
Opposite leaves with multiple leaflets (varies by species); overall a bold, compound-leaf look.
Flowers
Many tiny flowers packed into broad, flat-topped clusters, usually pale or creamy.
Fruits
Clusters of small berries that form after flowering; leave for wildlife where appropriate.
LOCATION
Where It Grows
Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.
Habitats
- Woodland edges
- Stream sides and moist thickets
- Hedgerows and open, shrubby areas
Where it is often used
- Pollinator shrub border
- Naturalized edge or hedgerow
- Rain-garden style planting (where soil stays on the moist side)
- Back-of-bed structure behind perennials
SEASONALITY
When It Blooms
Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.
Bloom window
Elderberries typically bloom from late spring into summer, depending on the species and your local conditions.
Bloom Season Role: A broad, easy-to-access bloom that can support many small pollinators at once
Seasonal benefits
- Supports a wide range of small pollinators during a key transition period
- Adds a noticeable “mass bloom” moment in the garden
REQUIREMENTS
What It Needs
The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.
Sun exposure
Sun to part shade. More sun often means fuller growth and more flowering.
Soil type
Adaptable, but happiest in soil with some organic matter that holds moisture without staying waterlogged.
Moisture needs
Water regularly during the first growing season; after that, water during long dry spells, especially in sandy soils.
Planting method
Plant at the same depth as the nursery pot. Give it room to spread and to allow airflow through the stems.
Mulching tips
Mulch with leaves or wood chips to help keep soil evenly moist; keep mulch a little back from the stems.
GARDENING GUIDE
How to Grow It
Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.
Planting tips
- Choose a spot with sun to part shade and soil that doesn’t dry out too fast.
- Dig a hole about as deep as the root ball and wider than the pot.
- Set the shrub in so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil.
- Backfill, firm gently, and water thoroughly.
- Mulch the root zone to hold moisture, keeping mulch off the stems.
Seasonal care
- Water during dry stretches, especially in the first year.
- Refresh mulch yearly to help with moisture and weeds.
- Prune to shape and remove dead or crossing stems; timing depends on your local species and how it flowers.
- If the shrub gets crowded, thin a few older stems at the base to improve airflow.
What not to do
- Letting a new planting dry out in its first season
- Pruning heavily right before the plant would normally flower
- Spraying for insects during bloom
Pairings
Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom
Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.
Early Bloom
- Spring ephemerals (woodland wildflowers)
- Early-blooming native perennials
Mid-Season Bloom
- Bee-friendly summer perennials
- Other flowering shrubs for a mixed border
Late-Season Bloom
- Late-blooming perennials and grasses to extend the season
Elderberries include multiple species and cultivated forms. If you’re planting for habitat, look for locally appropriate Sambucus options and give the shrub enough space to grow naturally.
GLOSSARY
Key Terms
A few quick terms you might see when shopping for shrubs or planning a pollinator garden:
Glossary terms are being added.
What You Can Do
Make a difference for native habitats.
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.