Adams American Elder
Sambucus canadensis 'Adams'
$58.00
A large, vigorous shrub with attractive clusters of small, white flowers in spring followed by large, edible purplish-black berries, good for jams and wine, quite coarse in winter; very adaptable, survives with minimal care but tends to sucker
Features and Growing Tips
Note: Each live plant is unique and may differ from the photo while maintaining its beauty. Plants come in a plastic pot; other items in images are not included.
Landscape Qualities
Adams American Elder is a multi-stemmed deciduous shrub with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage. This plant is primarily grown as an ornamental | but it's also valued for its edible qualities. The large round sweet berries are most often used in the following ways: Preserves; Wine-Making.
Ornamental Qualities
Adams American Elder features showy clusters of lightly-scented creamy white flowers held atop the branches in early summer. It features an abundance of magnificent deep purple berries with black overtones in early fall. It has dark green deciduous foliage. The compound leaves turn yellow in fall.
Planting and Growing
Adams American Elder will grow to be about 10 feet tall at maturity | with a spread of 12 feet. It tends to be a little leggy | with a typical clearance of 2 feet from the ground | and is suitable for planting under power lines. It grows at a fast rate | and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. This variety requires a different selection of the same species growing nearby in order to set fruit.
This shrub does best in full sun to partial shade. It is very adaptable to both dry and moist locations | and should do just fine under average home landscape conditions. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. This is a selection of a native North American species.
Plant Facts
Prefers full sun to partial shade
Keep moisture level dry to moist
Mature Size 10'Hx12'W
Flowers are cream with soft fragrance
Flowers in early summer
Sweet fruit used for preserves; wine
Harvest from late summer to early fall
Attracts birds
Fall color yellow
Zone 3a
Likes average to moist soil