American Elderberry
Sambucus canadensis
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American Elderberry is backordered and will ship as soon as it is back in stock.
Plant Sentry™
Plant Sentry™

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Your order is protected by our compliance system that:
- Prevents restricted plants from shipping to your state
- Ensures plants meet your state's agricultural requirements
- Protects gardens from invasive pests and diseases
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Delivery and Shipping
Fast, Safe Plant Delivery
Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected
Under $50 | $9.99 |
$50 - $99.99 | $14.99 |
$100 - $149.99 | $16.99 |
$150+ | $24.99 |
✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee
Understanding Plant Options
Nature Hills offers plants in two main formats:
- Container Plants: Grown in pots with soil, sized by container volume and plant age
- Bare Root Plants: Dormant plants without soil, sized by height measurements
Container Plant Sizes
Container sizes indicate plant age and growing capacity rather than liquid volume equivalents. Our containers follow industry-standard nursery "trade gallon" specifications, which differ from standard liquid gallon measurements.
Young Plants (6 months to 18 months old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2" x 2" x 3" | 0.18 - 0.21 dry quarts | 0.20 - 0.23 dry liters |
4" Container | 0.31 - 0.87 dry quarts | 0.35 - 0.96 dry liters |
4.5" Container | 0.65 dry quarts | 0.72 dry liters |
6" Container | 1.4 dry quarts | 1.59 dry liters |
1 Quart | 1 dry quart | 1.1 dry liters |
5.5" Container | 1.89 dry quarts | 2.08 dry liters |
Established Plants (18 months to 2.5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
2 Quart | 2 dry quarts | 2.2 dry liters |
#1 Container | 2.26 - 3.73 dry quarts | 2.49 - 4.11 dry liters |
5" x 5" x 12" | 3.5 - 4.3 dry quarts | 3.85 - 4.74 dry liters |
Mature Plants (2-4 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#2 Container | 1.19 - 1.76 dry gallons | 5.24 - 7.75 dry liters |
#3 Container | 2.15 - 2.76 dry gallons | 8.14 - 12.16 dry liters |
Large Plants (3-5 years old)
Container Size | Actual Volume | Metric Equivalent |
---|---|---|
#5 Container | 2.92 - 4.62 dry gallons | 12.86 - 20.35 dry liters |
#6 Container | 5.25 - 6.01 dry gallons | 23.12 - 26.42 dry liters |
#7 Container | 5.98 - 6.53 dry gallons | 26.34 - 28.76 dry liters |
Bare Root Plants
Bare root plants are sold by height from the root system to the top of the plant. Plants may exceed minimum height requirements.
Common Sizes:
- Trees: 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, 4 feet, 5 feet, 6 feet
- Shrubs & Perennials: 1 foot, 18 inches, 2 feet
Important Notes
Container Volume Specifications
- Trade Gallon Standard: Our containers follow industry-standard "trade gallon" specifications established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z60.1) for nursery stock
- Volume Variations: Actual soil volume may vary due to plant root systems and growing medium settlement
- Age Indicators: Container size primarily indicates plant age and maturity rather than liquid volume equivalents
Growing Conditions
- Plant size can vary based on variety and growing conditions
- Container size helps indicate plant maturity and establishment level
- Larger containers generally mean more established root systems and faster landscape establishment
Seasonal Availability
- Bare root plants are available seasonally when dormant
- Container plants are available throughout the growing season
- Specific varieties may have limited availability in certain sizes
Questions?
For questions about specific plant sizes or availability, please contact our plant experts who can help you choose the right size for your landscape needs.
Plant Highlights
American Elderberry highlights at a glance!
Specifications
Specifications
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Brand
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Botanical Name
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Growing Zones
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Mature Height
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Mature Spread
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Sun ExposureFull Sun
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Moisture
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Soil
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Growth RateFast
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Flower Color
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Fall Color
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Pollinator Friendly
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Pollinator Required
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Pruning Time
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Bloom PeriodSummer
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Harvest Time

Growing Zones 3-9
Gardeners sing praises for the American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) for three main reasons. It's an adaptable, hardy shrub that requires little care, delivers decorative spring flowers, and provides fall fruit for both gardeners and wildlife. The tropical dark green foliage grows fast and fills these informal shrubs with lush greenery!
The show begins with large, flat-topped panicles of petite, fragrant flowers, which are attractive lures to your butterflies and hummingbirds! The greyish-brown bark is a lovely backdrop for the pinnate foliage that supports up to eleven bright green leaflets on each leaf! The big flat-topped blooms
As the flowers fade, the Elderberry fruit develops. By fall you'll enjoy the multitude of small, berry-like drupes, their black coloring standing out amid your shrub's foliage. As autumn progresses, American Elderberry's foliage tints to an attractive yellow for the last gasp of seasonal interest. Hardy throughout USDA 3 through 9, these are very adaptable native shrubs!
Planting and Application:
American Elderberry will grow up to 12 feet in height with a 10-foot spread. It's a deciduous shrub with an upright, vase shape. American Elderberry is a fast grower, so you won't have to wait long to benefit from all the wonderful features that this incredible shrub has to offer. The late summer fruit is popular with wildlife, but save some yourself to enjoy in pies, preserves, or even homemade wine. The flowers and fruit hold amazing health benefits and are well touted for their support for the immune system!
The American Elderberry is a showy, ornamental shrub. Plant several as a border, or just one in a naturalized garden area for some decorative interest. However you choose to use it, its flowers and fruit are sure to be an attractive and useful addition to your landscape. Create windbreaks, groves, or shelterbelts of these fast growers for wildlife to roost and feast in, or just plant one in the corner of your landscape to add to your edible landscaping diversity!
- Big Flat Flower Clusters
- Long Tropical Foliage
- Fast-Growing Informal Shrubs
- Pollinators, Wildlife & Songbird Friendly
- Medicinal & Edible Flowers & Fruit
#ProPlantTips for Care:
Elderberry bushes prefer moist soil and full sun but are tolerant of a wide variety of soil conditions and even partial shade (but you'll have significantly fewer flowers and fruit). Provide a mulched location and prune these low-maintenance shrubs in late winter or early spring before you see new growth.
- Full Sun
- Moist Well-Drained Soil
- Highly Adaptable
- Prune When Dormant
- Some Fall Color!
Edible and medicinal fruit and flowers, plus a huge boost to pollinators, birds and wildlife in your area! Order your own American Elderberry today at NatureHills.com!