Native Plant Spotlight: Elderberry

If you're looking for a native shrub that checks all the boxes, Elderberry is hard to beat.

This fast-growing native shrub produces beautiful white flower clusters in late spring and early summer, followed by dark berries later in the season. It's a favorite among pollinators, birds, and gardeners alike, making it one of the most rewarding native shrubs you can add to your landscape.

Whether you're creating a privacy screen, stabilizing a slope, or simply adding wildlife value to your yard, Elderberry is a versatile plant that provides beauty and function throughout the growing season.

Why We Love It

• Native to Missouri and much of North America

• Fast-growing and easy to establish

• Large white flower clusters attract pollinators

• Berries provide food for birds and can be harvested for jams, syrups, and more (when properly prepared)

• Excellent choice for wildlife-friendly landscapes

Growing Information

Light: Full Sun to Part Shade

Bloom Time: May through July

Flower Color: Large, flat-topped clusters of creamy white flowers

Soil: Prefers moist, rich, slightly acidic soil but adapts well to a variety of conditions.

USDA Zones: 3–9

Mature Size: Typically 5–8 feet tall in our area

Landscape Uses

Elderberry is one of the most versatile native shrubs you can plant.

It works well for:

• Privacy screens

• Naturalized landscapes

• Pollinator gardens

• Rain gardens and wet areas

• Erosion control on slopes

• Backyard wildlife habitats

Its height also makes it a great backdrop or centerpiece in larger landscape beds.

As an added bonus, both the flower heads and berries can be harvested for culinary use when prepared correctly.

Maintenance

Elderberry is easy to care for.

To maintain a shorter shrub, remove older or dead stems to the ground in late winter. If you'd prefer a taller, more natural look, simply do a light shaping in late winter as needed.

Find It at Carson's

We currently have several Elderberry varieties available, including Bob Gordon and Pocahontas.

Stop by and let our team help you choose the right variety for your landscape.

Looking for more native plant inspiration?

Follow along each week as we continue our Native Plant Spotlight series featuring plants that thrive right here in the Ozarks.