Red Elderberry Seeds-(sambucus racemosa)
Red Elderberry Seeds-(sambucus racemosa)
Scarlet clusters. Wild structure. A pollinator beacon.
Sambucus racemosa, the Red Elderberry, is a cold-hardy native shrub valued for its lacy spring blooms, vivid red berry clusters, and strong wildlife appeal. Fast to establish and easy to shape, it thrives along woodland edges, streambanks, and homestead hedgerows—bringing seasonal color and habitat to any landscape.
- Showy spring flowers followed by striking red berry clusters
- Fast-growing and resilient—handles cold, wind, and a range of soils
- High wildlife value—flowers feed pollinators; fruit supports birds
- Great for hedgerows and restoration in moist, cool sites
Growing Details
- Botanical Name: Sambucus racemosa
- Common Name: Red Elderberry
- Stratification: Required (warm + cold stratification recommended; full instructions included)
- USDA Zones: 3–7
- Soil: Moist, well-drained loam; tolerates clay and rocky soils
- Light: Full sun to partial shade
- Height: 6–20 feet
- Spread: 6–12 feet
- Growth Rate: Fast
Plant Red Elderberry seeds to add bold color, quick cover, and real habitat value—an easygoing native that performs in cool, moisture-friendly sites.
FAQ
Are Red Elderberries edible?
Berries should be fully cooked before use; raw parts of the plant can be irritating if consumed. Many growers plant Red Elderberry primarily for wildlife and habitat.
Do I need more than one plant?
While a single shrub can set fruit, planting two or more genetically distinct plants generally improves flowering and berry production.
Where does Red Elderberry grow best?
Cool climates with consistent soil moisture—woodland edges, riparian buffers, and partially shaded borders. It tolerates full sun in cooler regions.
Related Seeds
- American Black Elderberry Seeds — Classic elder for syrups, hedgerows, and pollinators
- Blue Elderberry Tree Seeds — Fast-growing western elder with high wildlife value
- American Beautyberry Seeds — Vivid berry clusters and excellent bird forage
Evergreen Seed Co. is trusted by growers nationwide for rare, resilient, and high-germination seeds. Each order is carefully sourced, tested, and packaged with clear stratification and planting instructions for success from seed to first bloom.
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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