Siebold's elderberry.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous shrub

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

10 to 15 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 5 to 8

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged to help it establish well. Watch for drooping leaves, which often signal that the plant is thirsty. A layer of mulch around the base helps keep the roots cool and happy.

Watering

Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer once during the spring growing season.

Pruning

Trim back dead or overgrown branches in late winter before new growth starts.

Repotting

Repot only if the shrub becomes rootbound in its container.

Soil

Moist, well-draining, fertile soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-20 to 30°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 15 to 25 years.

Fragrance

Light

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

Raw berries, leaves, and bark contain cyanogenic glycosides that can cause nausea and vomiting.

Pets

The berries and foliage can be toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

Children

Keep children away from the raw berries, as they are tempting but harmful if ingested.

Contact allergens

Handling the foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can trigger mild allergic reactions in some people during the flowering season.

Edibility

Leaves, stems, bark, roots and unripe berries are toxic and should never be eaten, even cooked. Only fully ripe berries can be eaten, and only after they are cooked thoroughly with the seeds removed.

How to identify it

• Opposite, pinnately compound leaves
• Small white flowers in clusters
• Red or dark purple berries
• Sturdy, woody stems

Height

2 to 4m

Spread

2 to 4m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, cream, 0.5 to 0.8cm

Fruit

red, Late summer to early autumn

Problems to watch for

• Aphids · Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.
• Powdery mildew · A fungal infection causing white dusty patches on the leaves.

Growing it

Propagation

cuttings, seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

Mulch the base in late autumn to protect the roots from deep freezes. Prune back any dead wood in early spring before new growth begins.

In containers

It can be grown in a very large container, but it is much happier in the ground.

Plant these shrubs in groups to create a natural screen that supports local bird populations.

Grows well with

• Ferns · They enjoy the same dappled shade and moisture levels.
• Hosta · These provide a nice textural contrast beneath the shrub.

Similar species

• Black Elderberry · It is a close relative with similar growth habits but produces black fruit.

Science

Family

Viburnaceae

Genus

Sambucus

Order

Dipsacales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Japan and East Asia.

Conservation

Not currently a conservation concern.

It thrives in moist, well-draining woodland edges where it can spread its roots.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, provides food for birds

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ornamental shrub, wildlife habitat, hedgerow plant

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I eat the berries raw?

No, you should never eat them raw because they contain toxins.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers partial shade but will tolerate full sun if the soil stays moist.

Where the name comes from

The name Sambucus comes from the Greek word for a musical instrument, while sieboldiana honors the botanist Philipp Franz von Siebold.

Good to know

• It is native to Japan and parts of East Asia.
• The red berries are a favorite snack for local birds.
• It is closely related to the common European elderberry.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs