Black elder vs Mock orange

Black elder and Mock orange are often considered for the same spot in the garden (screening, hedge, flowers, pollinator friendly). The data below shows where they differ: size, hardiness, care, toxicity and price.

Black elder

Sambucus nigra 4 m × 3.5 m after 10 years

A native, very fast-growing, spreading shrub or small tree that carries large, creamy white, strongly scented flower plates from late spring and…

Shrub

Full sun

Part shade

from about CZK 500

Mock orange

Philadelphus coronarius 2.5 m × 2 m after 10 years

A large, upright then arching deciduous shrub grown for its white, intensely sweet-scented flowers in late May and June: plant it near a patio or seat…

Shrub

Full sun

Part shade

from about CZK 71

Key differences

Black elder grows larger: 4 m × 3.5 m after ten years, against 2.5 m × 2 m for Mock orange (an estimate: sources differ).
Mock orange needs less care than Black elder.

Which one to choose?

Mock orange is the better choice if space is tight or you have little time for care.

Watch out for

Black elder

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.

Mock orange

Black aphids often crowd the shoot tips in spring and early summer, curling the leaves and leaving the shoots sticky; it looks bad but rarely weakens the shrub seriously. Powdery mildew, leaf spot, rust and canker also occur. Cutting it back in autumn or spring removes the next year's flowers. Left unpruned it becomes bare at the base and outgrows its place: take out some of the oldest stems at ground level after flowering. It needs watering in prolonged summer drought.

The data side by side

Feature	Black elder	Mock orange
Group	Shrub	Shrub
Size after 10 years	4 m × 3.5 m (uncertain)	2.5 m × 2 m (uncertain)
Ultimate size	3–10 m × 2.4–6 m	3–4 m × 2.5–4 m
Growth rate	Fast	Fast
Light	Full sun, Part shade	Full sun, Part shade
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous, Acidic	Average garden soil, Clay, Calcareous
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Heat tolerance	Medium (uncertain)	Medium (uncertain)
Foliage	Deciduous	Deciduous
Flowering	May–July, white, pink	May–June, white
Water need	Medium	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium	Medium
Maintenance	Medium	Low
Planting distance	250 cm	150 cm
For dogs	Mildly toxic (uncertain)	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Mildly toxic (uncertain)	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Mildly toxic	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	approx. CZK 500	approx. CZK 82

Prices are rounded, indicative values. Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor. Data updated: October 26, 2026

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