Botanical Name: Sambucus mexicana
Common Name: Elderberry
Type of Plant: dicot: shrub/tree
Character deciduous
 
Habit of Growth:
Overall Shape a multi-trunked, many-branched plant, with ascending and spreading branches forming a full rounded canopy; outermost branches tend to be somewhat pendulous; plant undergoes late summer dormancy in dry locations
Height 8' - 15' (25')
Spread equal
Growth Rate rapid
 
Environment:
Exposure outdoors full or partial sun
Soil tolerates most; prefers well-draining clay
Hardiness hardy (zones 14-24): thrives in warm coastal foothill areas
 
Morphology:
Leaves odd-pinnately compound, opposite, 8"-12" long; leaflets ovate to oblong-lanceolate, mostly 3-5, 2"-5" long, bright green; margins finely serrated
Flowers pale yellow, 5-petaled, tiny (1/4" diameter), in rather flattened, mostly terminal cymes, 3"-6" across; May - September
Fruit a berry; blue-black, 1/4" across; edible
 
Propagation:
seed
 
Usage:
a large accent shrub or small tree used for its profuse flower display; large informal background mass; slope plantings, erosion control; blooms and retains foliage longer with supplemental watering
 
Landscape Care:
Watering an occasional deep soak; tolerates regular watering with good drainage; becomes drought resistant after established
Fertilizing little required after established
Pruning as a tree, head high when young and develop the primary framework; thin out in early spring and head back for fuller form
Pests/Diseases relatively free
Special Conditions/Other
 
Origin: foothill woodland areas of Central and Southern California
Family: Caprifoliaceae

Notes:
 
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