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Stratified Seeds - Red Elderberry
Stratified Seeds - Red Elderberry
Stratified Seeds - Red Elderberry
Stratified Seeds - Red Elderberry
Stratified Seeds - Red Elderberry
Stratified Seeds - Red Elderberry
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Stratified Seeds - Red Elderberry

Sambucus racemosa

$5.00
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Seeds per gram:

Harvest year:

Origin:

Categories: Shrub, Riparian strips, Native, Nectar-rich, New release, Deer resistant, Perennial

Native range: BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PE, NS, NL, YT

For successful seedlings,
 see the growing notes at the bottom of the page!

Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa) is a deciduous shrub generally reaching 2 to 4 metres in height. Its leaves are compound, made up of several small toothed leaves. In spring, it becomes covered in clusters of small cream-coloured flowers, followed in summer by fruit gathered into clusters of small bright red berries. Red elderberry grows in moist soils, along waterways, at forest edges, and in clearings.

Ecological Roles
The flowers of red elderberry are visited by pollinating insects, and its hollow stems provide nesting sites for solitary bees. The fruits are eaten by birds and small mammals, making them an important food source in late summer. The species occurs naturally in several regions of Quebec, generally in open, moist, and sunny sites, or at forest edges.

Upon receipt, it is important to place the packet containing seeds in the refrigerator until sowing.

After consulting the growing notes section, you can consult our article on fall and winter sowing for more information.

Akène cannot assume any responsibility for the use of plants for therapeutic purposes. Always seek advice from a professional before using a medicinal or edible plant.

Growing Notes | Stratified Seeds - Red Elderberry

Upon receipt, it is important to place the packet containing red elderberry seeds in the refrigerator until sowing time.

The seeds require a 90-day cold and moist stratification period to ensure germination.

The red elderberry seeds offered by Akène are sold in a sealed bag containing moist vermiculite. The stratification period began in mid-July. Depending on the month of receipt, the seeds will be at a different stage of the dormancy process. Here is the recommended schedule to complete the dormancy cycle:

The seeds are ready to be sown outdoors, directly in the ground or in pots, in late fall. This means sowing just before the first frosts and snow. Care must be taken not to sow too early, to prevent the seeds from germinating before winter begins.

Sow the seeds 6 mm deep in a well-drained substrate. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Germination of this species is irregular.

Red elderberry grows in part shade or full sun and prefers moist soil.

Seeds per packet: 25

Family: Viburnaceae

Scientific name: Sambucus racemosa

Life cycle: Perennial

Hardiness zone: 3

Soil type: All types

Soil moisture level: Humid to wet

Soil - additional attributes: Well-drained. Rich.

Drought tolerance: Moderate

Light: Sun, part shade

Blooming: May

Spacing: 2 m

Height: 4 m

Deer resistance: High

Stratification: Pre-stratified

Scarification: Soaking for 24 hours

Germination time: Irregular

Sowing depth: 6 mm

Reproductive system: Hermaphrodite