Of course, beauty is subjective. With the American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), scraggly does not mean unattractive. Rather, bird watchers appreciate the shrub for its ability to attract a variety of birds. This is why serious bird watchers see great value in American Elderberry.
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The American Elderberry may not look attractive. Its branches tend to spread out in a messy fashion. Traditional gardeners may not like this plant. However, as a native plant, it is important because it supports over 120 species of birds. This makes it one of the most important shrubs for birds in North America.
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I have seen the changes in my elderberry from an awkward young plant to my “bird buffet.” While my neighbors viburnums are neatly trimmed and remain mostly undisturbed, my messy elderberry has a daily birdwatching event.
A Hub for Bird Species Variety
What makes this humble little shrub unique? Elderberry bushes are especially good for attracting birds because of the many different features they provide. The dense structure of an elderberry provides birds with safe nesting sites. Plus, the bush’s umbrella-shaped clusters of berries provide an essential food source for many different birds (including songbirds and woodpeckers) during the late summer and fall.
Elderberry fruit production happens at a special time. The berries provide a high energy food source for birds as they ripen. The birds use the berries to fuel their long migration journeys. Because the berries don't ripen all at once, birds eat the berries for weeks.
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Beyond the Berries
What gardeners sometimes overlook is that elderberries are about more than the fruit. The structure of the shrub creates what I like to call a “bird apartment complex.” Those messy branches? Great perches for small songbirds. The dense leaves? Top notch for real estate for nest building. The flowers even attract insects which become protein-packed snacks for the parent birds as they feed their chicks.
With typical heights of 6 to 12 feet, the plant contributes to a middle story in the garden, which many landscapes lack. This “missing middle” is essential for birds that are ground shy but also do not want to go up to the treetops. You could say it is the ideal middleman in the vertical habitat framework of your garden.
Making Peace with "Ugly"
Elderberry bushes can be a little unsightly, and may not match your aesthetic when you incorporate them into your landscape. However, once you see the first family of cardinals move into one of these bushes, it becomes a really special experience. It’s great once you see a family of cardinals and realize how little your shrub needs to be valued by people to be valued by nature.
I believe it is all about placement. Elderberry is ideal for a back border plant, and because of its informal structure it is an asset not an eye sore. It can also be used as a natural privacy screen, although you may want to talk to your neighbors about your intentional 'wild' gardening.
The Bigger Picture
Elderberries help shape a new trend in gardening. Instead of focusing on aesthetics and adding ornamental plants, people are moving towards functional plantings. When you plant a shrub, such as an elderberry, you are providing a habitat, a food source, and shelter for many different kinds of wildlife.
The growing popularity of elderberries with birdwatchers is not just about attracting more birds to watch, it is also about engaging in on the ground conservation. Along with other elderberries, each scraggly shrub is a small but significant piece of the puzzle in providing for native wildlife in an ever-urbanizing world.
Your elderberry may not win any beauty competitions, but it could get you front-row seats to one of nature's most mesmerizing displays. For that, isn't some "ugliness" in the garden worth it?
