Blue Elderberry

Blue elderberry, also called blue elder, is a coarse-textured deciduous shrub native to western North America. This species produces white to pinkish flowers followed by blue to blue-black berries with a waxy bloom. The berries are a major food source for birds and wildlife throughout its range.

Blue elderberry tolerates a wide range of soil and moisture conditions, from wet riparian zones to drier hillsides. It is hardy and fast-growing, reaching 15-25 feet tall in ideal conditions. The berries are edible raw or cooked and have been used traditionally; multiple uses apply to the wood, bark, and foliage.