American black vs Red Elderberry seeds
Red Elderberry is the hardier choice for a cold site, rated zone 2 here versus zone 3/4 for American Black Elderberry. Black elderberry is the usual choice for preserves; red elderberry is better suited to a wildlife or ornamental planting.
100+ seeds · $8.95 CAD
View seeds →100+ seeds · $8.95 CAD
View seeds →Growing details
| Detail | American Black Elderberry | Red Elderberry |
|---|---|---|
| Cold hardiness zone | 3/4 | 2 |
| Fruit use | Commonly cooked into preserves and syrups | Generally not used for food because of its unappealing flavour |
| Ripe fruit colour | Dark purple to black | Red |
| Ripening | Later summer | Earlier summer, depending on the region |
| Species | Sambucus canadensis | Sambucus racemosa |
| Moisture | Moist soil with occasional wetness tolerated | Moist, nutrient rich ground |
| Light | Sun to partial shade | Sun to partial shade |
A closer look
American Black Elderberry
American Black Elderberry is grown for its dark fruit, commonly used in cooked preserves and syrups. Its zone 3/4 rating matters when choosing a sheltered site in a colder garden.
Red Elderberry
Red Elderberry is native across much of Canada, including Manitoba. Its zone 2 hardiness and red fruit make it useful for wildlife plantings, but it is not a substitute for black elderberry when growing fruit for preserves.