// SPECIES PROFILE · TREE · NATIVE

Red elderberry

Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa

Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa) is a tree in the — family. Native range includes MO — verified against the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center native distribution database. Hardy in zones 1a–11a. Mature size 8'–20'. Blooms May–Jun.

// QUICK FACTS

Family: —
Group: tree
Native range: Native to 38 U.S. states, including AK, AZ, CA, CO, CT, GA…
USDA hardiness: Zones 1a–11a
Mature size: 8'–20'
Sun: Part shade
Water: High · moisture-loving
Bloom: May–Jun
Wildlife value: Pollinator and wildlife support
Ecological role: native species profile

Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa) — *Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa* — Red elderberry. Photo via iNaturalist — no rights reserved, uploaded by neotrigonia.

Field Notes

[ growing · ecology · siting · care ]

Why it's on this list: native species profile. Native-range data from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (NPIN), cross-checked against iNaturalist observations. Part of Rooted Revival's regional native plant catalog — true natives for Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

Companion Planting

[ guild · polyculture · cross-layer pairings ]

In the same native range, red elderberry pairs naturally with: Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), Black chokecherry (Prunus virginiana var. melanocarpa), Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana var. virginiana), Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa).