Elder
Sambucus nigra
Elder is a shrub for structure, suited to full sun to partial shade and clay, loam or sandy soil, flowering Jun, Jul.
| Type | Shrub |
|---|---|
| Mature height | 500 cm |
| Spread | 400 cm |
| Aspect | full sun to partial shade |
| Foliage | Deciduous |
| Hardiness | USDA 4a-7b, RHS H6 |
| Pollinator-friendly | Yes |
| Pet-safe | No |
Where to use it in a border
At around 500 cm, it sits best toward the back of a border, or on its own as a focal point with room around it. Give it about 400 cm of room to spread. It is hardy across USDA zones 4a to 7b and rated H6 by the RHS, so check it suits your area before planting.
It appears in our lists of full sun, shade, clay soil, sandy soil, pollinator-friendly plants.
Border Builder uses Elder's height, spread, soil, bloom months and companions to place it in a full border plan for your own conditions, on iPhone and iPad.
Flowering through the year
Worth knowing
- It tolerates a shaded, north-facing spot.
- Not recorded as pet-safe; site it away from pets that graze if that matters to you.
- Its flowers are valued by bees and other pollinators.
Good companions
Plants that share its conditions and style, chosen to complement its place in the border:
- Allegheny Monkeyflowerto edge in front
- American Beautyberryto edge in front
- American Spikenardto edge in front
- American Wisteria 'Amethyst Falls'for height behind it
- Angelita Daisyto edge in front
- Anise Hyssopto edge in front
Garden styles
Sources
Bloom timing and hardiness drawn from: