Elderberry 'Adams'
Sambucus canadensis 'Adams' · Adoxaceae
| Type | shrub (shrub layer) |
|---|---|
| Mature size | 10 ft tall × 10 ft wide |
| Sun | FS, PS (full sun to part shade) |
| Water | M (moderate) |
| Deer resistance | medium |
| Drought tolerance | low |
| Hardiness | 3-9 |
| Maintenance | low |
| Edible | yes |
| Nitrogen fixing | no |
| Bloom | Jun, Jul |
| Harvest | Aug, Sep |
| Expected yield | 12 lb/yr |
| Source | TreeYo ($19) |
Planning price
$19.00 per plant listed
treeyo · Elderberry - Adams
On the CPI 2026 list.
Design notes
Large native shrub, superb medicinal value. Needs cross-pollination with a second cultivar; cook berries before eating.
Historic uses
Elderberry is one of the best documented folk medicines: syrups for colds, fever and flu; flowers for skin washes.
Scoring
| Ornamental | 7/10 |
|---|---|
| Disease resistance | 6/10 |
| Sweetness of harvest | 5/10 |
| Complexity of care | 7/10 |
| Medicinal value | 8/10 |
Shared plant library
These records are stored once at /home/chris/.gardenway/plant-library.json and
reused by every design and project on this machine, so the same species does not have
to be researched again.
Where this is used
| Draft | Zone | Qty | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Draft 1 - Balanced Food Forest | F | 1 | Elderberry 'Adams' understory for the fruit tree guild, planted with 'Marge' for cross-pollination. |
| Draft 2 - Deer-Proof Berries and Kitchen Herbs | F | 2 | Elderberry thicket - 'Adams' plus 'Marge' so every bush has a different cultivar beside it. |
| Draft 3 - Native Woodland Garden | C | 1 | Elderberry instead of aronia - the native berry the owner can pick by the porch, planted with 'Marge' so the pair cross-pollinates. |
| Draft 3 - Native Woodland Garden | F | 1 | Elderberry understory, planted with 'Marge' to cross-pollinate. |