Elderberry Seeds – Blue Sambucus cerulea

Grow a hardy and attractive landscape shrub with Blue Elderberry Seeds (Sambucus cerulea), a western North American species valued for its blue-gray berries, fragrant blossoms, and strong adaptability. Also known as the Arizona Blue Elder, this resilient shrub performs well in dry to moderate climates, making it an excellent choice for home gardens, hedgerows, naturalized areas, and wildlife-friendly plantings.

Blue elderberry forms a vigorous multi-stemmed shrub with clusters of creamy-white flowers in late spring, followed by powdery blue berries. It is long-lived, easy to maintain, and a reliable addition to diverse garden settings.

Features

• Produces clusters of fragrant spring blossoms

• Forms blue, powdery berries on mature shrubs

• Hardy shrub ideal for home gardens and naturalized landscapes

• Tolerates dry conditions and adapts to various soils

• Low-maintenance and vigorous growth habit

Specifications

• Common Name: Blue Elderberry

• Botanical Name: Sambucus cerulea

• Bloom Season: Late Spring to Early Summer (May–June)

• Berry Season: Late Summer to Early Fall (August–September)

• Planting Season: Spring or Fall

  • Zones 3–4: Start indoors early April; transplant late May–June

  • Zones 5–6: Sow outdoors or transplant April–May or September

  • Zones 7–8: Sow outdoors March–April or October–November

  • Zones 9–10: Sow outdoors February–March or October

• Hardiness Zones: Zones 3–10

• Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade

• Soil Requirement: Well-drained to dry soils; tolerates sandy or rocky sites

• Germination Time: 30–60 days (cold stratification recommended)

• Plant Height: 10–20 feet at maturity

• Growth Habit: Multi-stemmed perennial shrub