Common elder (Sambucus nigra)
Common elder (Sambucus nigra) is a shrub that can grow 3m – 8m tall and 3m – 8m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Common elder (Sambucus nigra).
This plant has several common names including: common elder, acte, arn tree, black elder, boon tree, boor tree, bore tree, bour tree, bur tree, elderberry, European elder, European elderberry, pipe tree or black elderberry.
This is a deciduous plant that takes 10-20 years to reach full maturity.
In this article
Plant profile
Common name: common elder, acte, arn tree, black elder, boon tree, boor tree, bore tree, bour tree, bur tree, elderberry, European elder, European elderberry, pipe tree, black elderberry
Scientific name: Sambucus nigra
Plant type: Shrubs
Habit: Bushy
Height: 3m – 8m
Spread: 3m – 8m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun, Partial shade
Soil: Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture: Moist but well drained
Garden type: Coastal, Wildlife Gardens
Planting type: Hedging & Screens, Low Maintenance
Seasonal colors
| Season | Stem | Foliage | Flower | Fruit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | ||||
| Summer | ||||
| Autumn | ||||
| Winter |
How to plant Common elder (Sambucus nigra) – Willow, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Shrubs are fundamental elements in any garden.
They add color and interest throughout the seasons with their wide variety of flowers, foliage, fruits, trunks and stems.
Whatever the size or style of your garden, the permanent woody structure or the foliage of evergreen shrubs will give the space shape and dimension.
Other types of Sambucus to consider:
See all Sambucus
How to plant
In this section we will learn how to plant Common elder (Sambucus nigra), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.
Soil
Common elder (Sambucus nigra) is a plant that adapts to all types of soils, chalk, clay, loam or sand.
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The chalky soil is pale and contains chunks of calcium-rich rock. It is a fertile and well-draining soil, almost always alkaline.
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Clay soil is composed of more than 25 percent clay particles. These particles have a high moisture holding capacity and the soil is heavy to dig and can be waterlogged in winter (dry in summer).
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The loam soil is dark, rich in organic matter but balanced in minerals. It offers the best of all worlds, retaining enough water for the plants, but allowing excess moisture to drain away. This is the most desired type of garden soil, perfect for most plants.
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Sandy soil is light, porous and very easy to drain. It is a soil poor in organic matter and nutrients. It is composed of relatively large mineral particles that allow water to drain quickly.
It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.
Regarding drainage, Sambucus nigra likes to grow in moist but well drained soil.
Sunlight
Common elder (Sambucus nigra) is a plant that should be grown in full sun or partial shade positions.
Cultivation profiles – Growing Common elder (Sambucus nigra) – iNaturalist.org (John Barkla) (John%20Barkla), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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