Sambucus canadensis (American elderberry)

Fragrant white flowers and bountiful berries make this shrub popular with humans and wildlife. It provides nesting habitat for birds and many eat the fruit later in the season, including cardinals, catbirds, and wood thrushes. Elderberry grows quickly and produces suckers. Prefers medium to wet soil.

Prune in late winter if desired. Cut back new growth by half to reduce height and thin 1/3 of the oldest stems. To control spread, remove suckers. May be cut back to the ground every few years to rejuvenate.

Elderberry flowers and berries are edible when properly cooked. Only eat plants that you can positively identify. Also called Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis.