Weed? - Ask Extension
Hi, I can't figure out if this is a weed or some type of plant. It's about 5feet tall at its highest point and about 3 feet wide at its widest point. ...
Knowledgebase
Weed? #335266
Asked June 22, 2016, 12:46 PM EDT
Hi, I can't figure out if this is a weed or some type of plant. It's about 5feet tall at its highest point and about 3 feet wide at its widest point. I rather like it but it is taking up too much room now. If it is a weed,I will pull it.
Thank you for your time,
Suzanne Cannon
Astoria, OR
Clatsop County Oregon
Expert Response
Hello Suzanne,
The plant in the photo appears to be a elderberry. The red elderberry and blue elderberry are native plants of the Pacific Northwest. If it is a plant you do not desire in your landscape you may call it a weed, but many gardeners are choosing to landscape with native plants.
I believe you have the red elderberry. It can grow to a 20'x6' size. It has erect spikes of white flowers during March and April and small red berries mid summer. The birds love these berries. This shrub tolerates deep shade and poor soil.
For further information please go to
extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/node/862 and www.pnwplants.wsy.edu.
The plant in the photo appears to be a elderberry. The red elderberry and blue elderberry are native plants of the Pacific Northwest. If it is a plant you do not desire in your landscape you may call it a weed, but many gardeners are choosing to landscape with native plants.
I believe you have the red elderberry. It can grow to a 20'x6' size. It has erect spikes of white flowers during March and April and small red berries mid summer. The birds love these berries. This shrub tolerates deep shade and poor soil.
For further information please go to
extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/node/862 and www.pnwplants.wsy.edu.
