Elderberry — Fruit
Sambucus nigra
Full sun, light watering — fully hardy.
- Plant out
- Apr
- Harvest
- Jun–Sep
- In flower
- Jun, Jul
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Hardiness
- H6
- Season
- summer
- Height
- 400–800 cm
- Spacing
- 400 cm
- Pets
- Toxic to pets
- Bee friendly
- Bee friendly
- Native
- Native
Growing notes
Grows to 4-8 metres. Space about 250-400cm apart. In flower Jun-Jul.
Toxic to pets
Raw berries, leaves and stems are harmful if eaten, for people as well as pets, and can cause sickness and stomach upset; only the flowers and cooked ripe berries are used in food. Don't eat the berries raw and keep foliage and stems away from children and pets. If a person eats raw parts, get medical advice; if a pet does, contact a vet.
→ NHS 111 for a person; your vet or the Animal PoisonLine for an animal