Jack Castro had a number of questions about Blue Elderberry (Sambucus =
glauca - Is this species epiteth good Latin?):

>>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?

It is a large 'shrub' or small 'tree' from 10' to 20' or more tall. =
However, there is a plant of this species down in Linn County, Oregon =
that has a trunk measuring over 2 feet in diameter! Don't plant it too =
close to the house...

>>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?

It is found on moist, well-drained sites in the sun, from B.C. south to =
California and east through Idaho, Utah and Nevada at elevations from =
sea level to 9,000 feet.

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

It flowers in flat-topped creamy white clusters with a distinct, =
memorable fragrance - the 'sprays' are made up of hundreds of smaller =
flowers. Too small for hummers....

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

The plant flowers in June. If you can beat the birds to the berries in =
the Fall (mid-late Sept), they last for a couple of weeks. Usually, the =
migratory Robins have cleaned up all the berries from my bush (the ones =
the Starlings didn't get...) by the first part of Oct.

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

Red Elderberry (Sambucus callicarpa) is very similar to blue elder, but =
of course has red berries when ripe (As Leslie Haskin wrote 50 years =
ago: "The berries are like brilliant coral beads upon a background of =
clear jade, and if viewed from below, and the whole outlined against a =
dazzling turquoise sky, the picture is indeed complete." I *love* the =
way the old-timers wrote....). Birds relish these fruit just as well as =
they do the blue berries, and they are a favorite food of the =
Band-tailed Pigeon in the fall... Blue elderberry cannot only be made =
into wonderful jelly, pies, preserves and wine, but the early settler =
'herb women' used the plant in any number of folk medicines. I've never =
had any jam, etc., made from the redberry elder, and have heard that the =
berries can be poisonous to people - but don't have any confirmation on =
that.

>>Is this a common plant sold at local nurseries?

Not usually, but do I have a deal for you... (Note Standard Disclaimer: =
I have no financial interest, etc. etc.)

The Thurston Conservation District is conducting its Native Plant Sale. =
They are not offering Blue Elderberry this year, but note that they have =
a few plants left over from last year. This plant sale is a fund-raiser =
designed to encourage the use of native plants for stream, wetland, and =
wildlife habitat enhancement. Proceeds support local restoration =
projects.

I think that most of the County Conservation Districts in this area have =
Native Plant Sales. Your own county Cons. Dist. might just have some =
Blue Elderberry. I heartily suggest that you check in your phone book =
for your local CD, call, and find out when theirs will take place. The =
Thurston CD is accepting orders through 4:00p.m. 14 February, and plant =
pick-up will be Fri/Sat March 7th and 8th. They can be contacted at =
360-754-3588; address is 6128 Capitol Blvd., Olympia, WA 98501.

Plants offered by the Thurston CD include: Douglas Fir, Noble Fir, Sitka =
Spruce, Western Red Cedar, Western Trumpet Honeysuckle, Mock Orange, =
Pacific and Red-Osier Dogwoods, Red Flowering Current, Serviceberry, =
Sitka Willow, Vine Maple, Western Crabapple, Kinnikinnik, Inside-out =
Flower (Vancouveria), Foamflower (Tiarella), Twisted Stalk, Woodland =
Strawberry, Slough Sedge, and Small-fruited Bulrush. They also offer a =
'Pacific Northwest Blend' Wildflower seed mix (which contains a number =
of species not necessarily native or northwestern... bachelor buttons, =
california poppy, blanket flower, etc). They also list Oregon Oak, =
Wood's Rose, Ocean Spray, Blue Elderberry, Oregon Ash and Hazelnut as =
available in "very limited supply".

The cost for the plants runs from $1.00 to $2.50 per, depending on the =
species. Also, Hybrid Cottonwood in bundles of 100 for $75.00, in case =
you're putting in a plantation.

Hope this helps.

Jon. Anderson
Olympia, Washington
festuca at olywa.net