Beginner
skill rating
Online Garden Tools
Useful videos
Sambucus mexicana (Mexican elder)
1 hour care
per year
per year
3m
Max height
Max height
3m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Low
Toxicity
Toxicity
Plant details
Botanical name
Sambucus mexicana
Other names
Mexican elder, Mexican elderberry, Blue elderberry, Sambucus nigra subsp. mexicana, Western elderberry, Tapiro, Sambucus coerulea var. arizonica, Sambucus orbiculata
Genus
Sambucus Sambucus
Species
S. mexicana - S. mexicana is a small, rounded, semi-evergreen tree with pinnate leaves divided into five to nine, elliptic or ovate, mid-green leaflets and flat clusters of white or creamy-white flowers in spring and summer followed by blue-black fruit.
Sambucus mexicana is: Semi evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are fragrant.
Habit
Rounded
Toxicity
Any part of the plant may cause discomfort if ingested. However, the berries may be consumed when cooked.
Flower
White, Cream in Spring; Cream, White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Black-fly , Glasshouse red spider mite Black-fly , Glasshouse red spider mite
Verticillium wilt Verticillium wilt
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1.
Propagation methods
Seed, Hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Sign up for your FREE ACCOUNT today or login to receive detailed monthly care instructions
Where to grow
Sambucus mexicana (Mexican elder) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 3m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Coastal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in full sun.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
We do not currently have companion plants added for this plant.
Botanical name
Sambucus mexicana
Other names
Mexican elder, Mexican elderberry, Blue elderberry, Sambucus nigra subsp. mexicana, Western elderberry, Tapiro, Sambucus coerulea var. arizonica, Sambucus orbiculata
Genus
Sambucus Sambucus
Species
S. mexicana - S. mexicana is a small, rounded, semi-evergreen tree with pinnate leaves divided into five to nine, elliptic or ovate, mid-green leaflets and flat clusters of white or creamy-white flowers in spring and summer followed by blue-black fruit.
Native to
Asia, Europe, Northern Africa
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Fragrance
Flowers are fragrant.
Habit
Rounded
Toxicity
Any part of the plant may cause discomfort if ingested. However, the berries may be consumed when cooked.
Create your free Shoot garden
Create your free SHOOT garden and make a record of the plants in your garden.
Add your own photos, notes, get monthly email reminders on how to care for your plants, and connect with other gardeners. Get started now.
Colour
Flower
White, Cream in Spring; Cream, White in Summer
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Black-fly , Glasshouse red spider mite
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1.
Propagation methods
Seed, Hardwood cuttings, Softwood cuttings
Monthly care advice
Get access to monthly care advice
Create a free SHOOT account and get instant access to expert care advice for this and other plants in your garden.
You'll also receive handy monthly email reminders of what needs doing. Create your free account.
Where to grow
Sambucus mexicana (Mexican elder) will reach a height of 3m and a spread of 3m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Coastal, Hedging/Screens, Low Maintenance, Wildlife, Woodland
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained soil in full sun.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
Report content or feedback to Shoot
To add ? to your lists,
login to your account or subscribe.
Find out more about plant lists here
or Login
To add notes for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To add images for this plant login to your account or register for a new account.
Sign up for freeor Login
To check if this plant is suitable for your garden first login to your account or subscribe.
or Login