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We have combined these two powerful search tools into a single Find a Plant service searching over 250,000 plant records.
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Search by plant name, key attributes or both to find plant details and a list of suppliers.
AGM plants have been through a rigorous trial and assessment programme. They are:
This plant will provide nectar and pollen for bees and the many other types of pollinating insects.
It is included in an evolving list of plants carefully researched and chosen by RHS experts. Divided into 3 groups these lists, linked below, are maintained by a team of RHS staff and are reviewed annually.
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Other common names common elder acte
arn tree black elder boon tree boor tree bore tree bour tree bur tree elderberry European elder European elderberry pipe tree black elderberry
Family Adoxaceae
Genus Sambucus can be herbaceous perennials, deciduous shrubs or small trees, with pinnate leaves and umbels or panicles of small creamy-white flowers followed by red, white or black berries
Details S. nigra is bushy large shrub or small tree to 6m, with pinnate leaves turning pale yellow in autumn, flat sprays of fragrant cream flowers in early summer followed by small black berries
Plant range Europe N Africa SW Asia
Foliage Deciduous
Habit Bushy
Fragrance Flower
Toxicity All parts may cause discomfort if ingested although the berries can be edible if cooked. Wear gloves and wash hands after handling
Hardiness
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H6
Full Sun
Partial Shade
Aspect South-facing or North-facing or East-facing or West-facing
Exposure Exposed or Sheltered
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
MoistureMoist but well-drained
SoilChalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Ultimate height 4-8 metres
Ultimate spread 2.5-4 metres
Time to ultimate height 10-20 years
Cultivation Easy to grow in moderately fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soils and also thrives on extremely chalky sites
Propagation Propagate by softwood or hardwood cuttings
Suggested planting locations and garden types Hedging & Screens Low Maintenance Wildlife Gardens Coastal
Pruning Pruning group 1. Will tolerate hard pruning to restrict the size
Pests Can get blackfly and glasshouse red spider mite
Diseases May be subject to verticillium wilt
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The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.