How big does Black elder grow?

About 4 m × 3.5 m after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 3–10 m × 2.4–6 m.

What soil does Black elder grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous, acidic.

Is Black elder hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Black elder toxic to children?

Yes, it is mildly toxic to children.

How far from the house should Black elder be planted?

Plant it at least 2.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Black elder be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 2.5 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 3 plants per metre.

When does Black elder flower?

Flowering: May–July, white, pink.

How much water does Black elder need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Black elder cost?

It sells for roughly €4 to €66 in local shops, depending on size.

Black elder

Sambucus nigra

Black elder (Sambucus nigra) is a shrub that reaches 4 m × 3.5 m after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Mildly toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about €4.

Illustration of Black elder — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A native, very fast-growing, spreading shrub or small tree that carries large, creamy white, strongly scented flower plates from late spring and glossy black berry clusters by late summer. The flowers make cordial and the cooked berries make jam and syrup, while bees and birds feed on it too; a single bush fruits on its own, though several cultivars together crop more heavily. Gardens mostly grow its dark, cut-leaved cultivars, which stay smaller. Raw berries and all green parts are poisonous, and you will need to remove root suckers and bird-sown seedlings regularly.

Watch out for

It suckers strongly and birds carry the seed everywhere, so in Central Europe it comes up as a weed in gardens too, under hedges and along fences. Black aphids often smother the shoot tips in spring. The wood is soft and brittle, so wind and heavy snow break branches easily, and without pruning it soon goes bare at the base. Powdery mildew, leaf spot and canker occur.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 4 m × 3.5 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D May–July, white, pink

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	4 m × 3.5 m
Ultimate size	3–10 m × 2.4–6 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	May–July, white, pink
Harvest	August–September
Self-fertile	yes
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	yes
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	at least 2.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	250 cm
For dogs	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic
Typical price	from about €4

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
under 30 cm	approx. €20
30-60 cm	approx. €24
60-100 cm	approx. €16
100-150 cm	approx. €5.30
150-200 cm	approx. €9.20
size not stated	approx. €17 – €20

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Hedge plants Plants for screening Shrubs for pollinators Flowering shrubs Fragrant plants Fragrant shrubs Plants with edible fruit Edible plants for screening

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Compare with similar plants

Black elder vs Mock orange Black elder vs Ninebark

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