Sambucus nigra subsp. caerulea (syn. Sambucus mexicana), Blue Elderberry

The Pacific Northwest blue elderberry that , as a child, I was so fascinated with a myriad of fanciful projects found use for their hollow stems. It is a tall upright, deciduous shrub, with foamy creamy-white summer flowers and blue fruit covered with a gray bloom in late summer. It can make a nice elderflower cordial or berries can be used as well. Birds will thank you for the fruit if you don't have time to process them.  Deciduous shrub: 20-30 ft T x W Minimum temperature: -30° F