The Size of an Elderberry Bush

Elderberry fruit attract wild birds to the landscape.

The overall height of an elderberry bush depends on its growing conditions. Elderberry shrubs prefer full to partial sun and good draining soil. In fertile, moist soil, this fruit-bearing shrub reaches 16 feet tall. In poor soil, elderberry bushes grow to about 6 feet in height.

Size

Elderberry berry shrubs grow upright on woody stems. The shrub canopy spreads to a width of 6 to 10 feet. The weight of the dark purple fruit pulls the branches downward. The fruit is too tart to eat fresh, but is used for jam, juice, wine or pie filling.

Considerations

Plant the elderberry bushes 6 to 10 feet apart to form a hedge. The elderberry bushes will grow thick enough to shade out most weeds by the time they are two years old.

Types

The red elderberry bush produces red berries instead of the typical dark purple berries. This variety of elderberry grows 12 to 25 feet tall and equally as wide.

References

• Oregon State University Extension: Grow Elderberries as a Fruit-bearing Ornamental
• University of Illinois Extension: American Elderberry
• North Carolina State University: Red Elderberry