Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Elderberries are great to have in the landscape! The flowers attract a variety of insects, including many of our native bees. Birds (and humans) enjoy the small fruits including the Eastern Bluebird, Northern Cardinal, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, American Robin, House Finch, Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Cedar Waxwing, and more (Bird Table) (illinoiswildflower.info). It is the host plant to the Polyphemus moth, Cecropia moth, and 34 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). The foliage is bitter and toxic, so rarely consumed by mammalian herbivores.
Photo Credit: John Blair
Elderberries are great to have in the landscape! The flowers attract a variety of insects, including many of our native bees. Birds (and humans) enjoy the small fruits including the Eastern Bluebird, Northern Cardinal, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, American Robin, House Finch, Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Cedar Waxwing, and more (Bird Table) (illinoiswildflower.info). It is the host plant to the Polyphemus moth, Cecropia moth, and 34 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). The foliage is bitter and toxic, so rarely consumed by mammalian herbivores.
Photo Credit: John Blair
Elderberries are great to have in the landscape! The flowers attract a variety of insects, including many of our native bees. Birds (and humans) enjoy the small fruits including the Eastern Bluebird, Northern Cardinal, Gray Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, American Robin, House Finch, Wood Thrush, Red-eyed Vireo, Cedar Waxwing, and more (Bird Table) (illinoiswildflower.info). It is the host plant to the Polyphemus moth, Cecropia moth, and 34 other species of butterflies and moths in our area (nwf.org). The foliage is bitter and toxic, so rarely consumed by mammalian herbivores.
Photo Credit: John Blair
Life Cycle: Perennial
Sun Exposure: Full, Partial sun
Soil Moisture: Medium-wet, Medium, Medium-dry
Height: Up to 10 feet
Plant Spacing: 3-5 feet
Bloom Time: June-August
Bloom Color: White
Advantages: Caterpillar Favorite, Pollinator Favorite, Bird Favorite, Deer Resistant, Recommended, but can be very vigorous in some conditions.
Host Plant: Polyphemus moth, Cecropia moth, and 34 other species of butterflies and moths use this as a caterpillar host plant in our area (nwf.org)
