Common elder (Sambucus nigra) is a shrub that can grow 3m – 8m tall and 3m – 8m wide.
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.
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
Cultivation profiles – Growing Common elder (Sambucus nigra) – iNaturalist.org (John Barkla) (John%20Barkla), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
