Dwarf Elder Plant Care

Dwarf Elder (Sambucus ebulus) belongs to the Viburnaceae family within the Sambucus genus. Dwarf Elder is native to southern and central Europe and southwest Asia. Dwarf Elder is also known as Elderberry, Wallwort, Danewort.

Dwarf Elder displays a large deciduous shrub growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Dwarf Elder produces clusters of small, fragrant white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Dwarf Elder every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Dwarf Elder thrives in full sun to part shade.

Sambucus ebulus tolerates temperatures of 0–90°F. Dwarf Elder prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Rich, moist, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Dwarf Elder to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Dwarf Elder every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and rich, moist, well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Dwarf Elder can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Dwarf Elder while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Dwarf Elder can be propagated through softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american elderberry plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Dwarf Elder is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, borers. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.