William H. Lawerence recommeded that I plant blue elderberries to attract the
red breasted sapsuckers, and I suppose, the other wood peckers and birds that
like them. I just happen to be replanting portions of my back yard and want to
plant mostly native shrubs and ground cover. I am an inexperienced gardener and
am wondering if someone can tell me more about the Blue Elderberry plant.

Is it a shrub or a tree? How large does it grow?

What type of exposure does it need? Full Sun? Mostly shade?

Does it require moist boggy wetland type soil, or will it grow OK in the usual
puget sound clays? Is it drought tolerant?

Does it produce any significant flowers? Do they attract humingbirds?

What time of year do the berries form and how long do they last?

Is this a common plant sold at local nurseries?

I have seen Red Elderberry bushes. Is Blue Elderberry similar? Do the
woodpeckers like Red Elderberry just as well?

Thanks.

Jack


--
Jack Castro (206) 641-7001
Sr. Technical Representative
The MacNeal-Schwendler Corporation
15400 S.E. 30th Place, Suite 101
Bellevue, WA 98007
Fax: (206) 641-6924
Email: jack.castro at macsch.com
WWW: http://www.macsch.com/