Description

The blue elderberry is a winter-deciduous shrub that can reach heights greater than 25 feet but typically pruned to 20' tall and 10-20' wide. It may be considered a small tree, except that it rarely has only a single trunk, a feature that many botanists use to help define the unclear distinction between shrubs and trees. Blue elderberry grows throughout western North America along streams and also in drier habitats such as coastal scrub, chaparral, and forest openings. In spring, it produces flat-topped clusters of many cream-colored flowers. These are followed by bunches of dark blue, wax-covered berries during summer. The fruit, which are attractive to birds, can be used for making pie, jelly, and wine. All parts of this plant are poisonous except the flowers and berries. Leaves are light green color. Bark may be dark or light gray and fissured. It does best in full sun with sandy, acidic soil. It does not tolerate coastal conditions.