York Elderberry

York Elderberry is a compact native deciduous shrub with a more contained upright mounding habit and light green foliage.  Its larger clusters of white flowers bloom on new wood in summer and are followed by edible berries. These purple-black drupes are both larger themselves and appear in larger clusters from late summer to fall.  Grows best in moist, humusy well-drained soils.  York is self-fertile.

MAINTENANCE NEEDS: High Maintenance.  No serious pests or diseases.  Some susceptibility to canker, powdery mildew, leaf spot, borers, spider mites and aphids.  Old wood may be damaged in high winds  or heavy snow.  Prune root suckers to avoid colonizing unless allowing naturalization.  Prune in late winter to rejuvenate habit as needed.

LANDSCAPE USES:  Group Plantings or Specimen Tree, Naturalized Areas, Wildlife Gardens, Privacy Screen, and  Shade Tree

COMPANION PLANTS: Ornamental Onion, Loosestrife, Flowering Dogwood

IMAGE:  The Plantography Project, Common elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)

*As plants have ranges in appearance they may not appear as the images shown.