American Black Elderberry Tree Seeds-(Sambucus Canadensis )
American Black Elderberry Tree Seeds-(Sambucus Canadensis )
Wild medicine. Sweet resilience rooted in tradition.
The American Black Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis) is a fast-growing native shrub valued for its fragrant summer flower umbels and heavy clusters of dark, antioxidant-rich berries. Beloved by pollinators and long used in herbal medicine, this versatile plant thrives in a wide range of soils—including wet ground—making it a staple for food forests, wildlife gardens, and naturalized plantings.
Why Choose American Black Elderberry?
- White flower umbels attract bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects
- Deep purple-black berries used for syrups, jams, and traditional immune-support remedies
- Tolerates moist to wet soils and can form productive thickets
- Valuable native species for ecological restoration and edible landscaping
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Sambucus canadensis
- Germination Rate: 91%
- Harvest Year: 2024 (collected in Missouri)
- Stratification: 60–90 days cold stratification required
- USDA Zones: 3–9
- Soil: Moist, well-drained to wet soils; adaptable
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Mature Size: 6–12 ft tall × 6–10 ft wide
- Growth Rate: Fast
- Packet Sizes: 5, 10, 25, 40, or 100 seeds
FAQ
Do elderberry seeds need stratification?
Yes. Cold, moist stratify for 60–90 days to improve germination, then sow shallowly in spring and keep evenly moist.
Are the berries edible?
Ripe berries are commonly cooked for syrups and jams. Always cook thoroughly and avoid raw consumption; do not use leaves, stems, or unripe fruit.
Will it handle wet areas?
Yes. Elderberry thrives in moist to wet soils and is an excellent choice for rain gardens, swales, and low sites.
Does it spread?
Yes. It can sucker to form thickets. Prune or thin canes after fruiting to manage size and encourage new, productive growth.
Related Seeds
Explore more edible and medicinal natives:
American Plum Tree Seeds (Prunus americana)
American Hazelnut Tree Seeds (Corylus americana)
American Witch Hazel Tree Seeds (Hamamelis virginiana)
Evergreen Seed Co. is trusted by growers nationwide for rare, resilient, and high-germination tree seeds. Each order is carefully sourced, tested, and packaged with detailed planting instructions.
Grow your own backyard apothecary—native, fruitful, and resilient.
FAQ
FAQ
Do you pre-stratify the seeds?
Most of our seeds are not pre-stratified. We ship them unstratified so you can control germination timing based on your local growing season. We sell to all 50 U.S. states and Canadian provinces, and since each region has different planting windows, pre-stratifying would risk seeds germinating in transit or before you're ready to plant.
True stratification requires cold, moist conditions, which can lead to premature sprouting or mold if not timed properly. To avoid this, we store most seeds in dry cold conditions to preserve viability — but this does not initiate stratification.
Do any of your seeds need to stay moist? (Recalcitrant seeds)
Yes — some species we offer are recalcitrant, meaning they must remain moist to stay viable and cannot be dried out. Examples include: Chestnut, Hazelnut, Paw Paw, etc.
These seeds are shipped in moist cold storage and are clearly labeled on the product page when applicable. Please refrigerate immediately upon arrival and follow included care instructions.
Do you ship internationally?
We currently ship to the United States and Canada only. Unfortunately, we cannot ship to other countries without a phytosanitary certificate, which is required by most international customs agencies.
If you're interested in shipping outside North America, please contact us. Note that a phytosanitary certificate typically adds $60–$80 USD per seed type and must be arranged in advance.
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & What's Included
Shipping & Packaging
Hand-packed in resealable zipper kraft paper seed bags
Stratification and planting instructions included with every order
1 free bonus seed pack included with every order
Ships within 3–5 business days via USPS
Return Policy
Return Policy
Due to the nature of our products, we do not accept returns on seeds.
However, if your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact us within 7 days and we’ll make it right.
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