American black vs Blue Elderberry seeds
American Black Elderberry and Blue Elderberry are different species, not two colours of the same cultivar. Blue Elderberry is a western species that can develop into a large shrub or small tree.
100+ seeds · $8.95 CAD
View seeds →50+ seeds · $7.95 CAD
View seeds →Growing details
| Detail | American Black Elderberry | Blue Elderberry |
|---|---|---|
| Species | Sambucus canadensis | Sambucus caerulea |
| Ripe fruit | Dark purple to black | Blue black |
| Native background | American species | Western North America, including parts of British Columbia and Alberta |
| Light | Sun to partial shade | More strongly associated with sunny, open sites |
| Moisture | Moist soil with occasional wetness tolerated | Moist ground with good drainage |
| Cold hardiness zone | 3/4 | 5 |
| Mature size | About 5 to 12 ft | Usually about 7 to 13 ft, sometimes taller |
A closer look
American Black Elderberry
American Black Elderberry's cooked ripe berries are used for jam, jelly and pie filling. The shrub can spread by suckers, so a planting can broaden over time. Leaves, stems and unripe berries should not be treated as food.
Blue Elderberry
Our Blue Elderberry seed came from British Columbia through a seed trade. The species' western range includes valley and streamside settings. Its Zone 5 rating makes it a choice for milder sites, not an equally hardy substitute for prairie elderberries.