Sambucus racemosa aka Red Elderberry

Taxonomy

Sambucus racemosa, also known as red elderberry or red-berried elder, is a deciduous shrub or treelike shrub that can grow up to 6 meters tall. It is native to Europe, northern Asia, and parts of Alaska, Canada, and the United States. The shrub has opposite, pinnate-compound leaves with 5-7 leaflets and dome-shaped clusters of fragrant, white flowers that bloom from late spring to early summer. Its dark red berries, which are black in the case of the Rocky Mountain elderberry, grow in upright clusters in the summer and fall, attracting birds and wildlife. Red elderberry can be found in riparian environments, woodlands, and rocky environments at high elevations in the mountains. It also grows in moist areas, thickets, stream banks, fields, fence rows, and roadsides.

Common names

Red Elderberry, Red Berried Elder, Druvflder, Red Berry Elder

How to care for Red Elderberry

Difficulty

Caring for Red Elderberry is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Red Elderberry should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Red Elderberry is very sensitive to dry soil. To ensure your Red Berried Elder is thriving and blooming, choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil should still allow for adequate drainage and contain lots of organic matter. Coco coir or sphagnum moss are great soil additives that will help to retain moisture and provide your Red Berry Elder with the nutrients it needs for healthy growth. Make sure to mix these soil additives into the potting soil before planting and water the soil thoroughly. By providing your Red Elderberry with a well-draining, moisture-retaining soil, you can help to maximize its growth and keep it blooming.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Red Elderberry prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.

Toxicity

Red Elderberry is poisonous if ingested. We suggest keeping this plant out of reach if you have children, cats, or dogs in the home.

Fertilizer

The Red Elderberry should be repotted when it has doubled in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing fresh potting soil with all the essential nutrients each year ensures the plant's well-being, eliminating the need for fertilizer. Remember, plants derive their energy from the sun and not fertilizer.

Growth-pattern

New growth will sprout from the top of the Red Elderberry as it grows vertically.

Region of origin

Red Elderberry’s native range is N. America - British Columbia to Newfoundland, south to Georgia, Iowa, Colorado and California.

More info:
Wikipedia